2007
Information Document to Assist Development of a
Fraser Chinook Management Plan
RECORD OF REVISIONS
Plan: 2007 Fraser River Chinook Information Document
Date last revised: Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Version Number: 2 (this number will change if amendments are issued in-season)
# Date Page Subject Revision Details Contact E Feb. 21 38 Recreational Catch Figure Corrected. E Feb. 21 43 Recreational Catch Mabel Lake corrected
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Table of Contents
TABLE OF APPENDICES ...... 4
LIST OF TABLES ...... 4
1. INTRODUCTION...... 5
2. LIFECYCLE...... 5
3. GENERAL CONTEXT...... 6 3.1. POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES...... 6 3.2. PACIFIC SALMON TREATY (PST) ...... 7 3.3. SPECIAL CONCERNS FOR 2007...... 8 4. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES...... 10 4.1. CONSERVATION...... 10 4.2. ABORIGINAL FISHERIES FOR FOOD, SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL PURPOSES ...... 10 4.3. INTERNATIONAL ALLOCATION ...... 10 4.4. DOMESTIC ALLOCATIONS ...... 10 5. STOCK ASSESSMENT...... 11 5.1. MANAGEMENT UNITS...... 11 5.2. LOWER FRASER RIVER STOCKS...... 12 5.3. INTERIOR FRASER RIVER STOCKS ...... 13 5.4. STOCK ASSESSMENT METHODS...... 13 5.5. FORECASTS ...... 14 5.6. ESCAPEMENT OBJECTIVES...... 14 5.7. ALBION TEST FISHERY ...... 14 6. ENHANCEMENT...... 15 6.1. CHILLIWACK RIVER HATCHERY ...... 15 6.2. CHEHALIS HATCHERY...... 16 6.3. BIRKENHEAD HATCHERY ...... 16 6.4. INTERIOR FRASER CHINOOK ENHANCEMENT ...... 16 7. FIRST NATIONS FISHERIES ...... 16 7.1. 2006 FISHERY SUMMARY ...... 16 7.2. CATCH MONITORING ...... 17 7.3. 2007 FISHING PLAN...... 19 8. RECREATIONAL FISHERIES...... 19 8.1. FISHERY SUMMARY ...... 19 8.2. CATCH MONITORING ...... 20 8.3. 2007 FISHING PLAN...... 21 9. COMMERCIAL...... 21 9.1. OVERALL COMMERCIAL FISHERY SUMMARY ...... 21 9.2. CATCH MONITORING ...... 22 9.3. AREA E GILLNET – FRASER RIVER ...... 22 9.4. AREA G TROLL – WEST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND ...... 23 9.5. AREA F TROLL – NORTH COAST...... 24
Table of Appendices
APPENDIX A: ALBION TEST FISHERY...... 25 APPENDIX B: CHINOOK ESCAPEMENT ESTIMATES TO TRIBUTARIES IN THE LOWER FRASER RIVER ...... 26 APPENDIX C: 1993-2006 CHINOOK ESCAPEMENT ESTIMATES TO TRIBUTARIES IN THE BC INTERIOR...... 27 APPENDIX D: CTC INDICATOR STOCKS ...... 31 APPENDIX E: FRASER RIVER FIRST NATIONS FISHING TIMES AND CATCH BY AREA...... 31 APPENDIX F: 2006 RECREATIONAL CATCH DATA ...... 31 APPENDIX G: DRAFT 2007 CHINOOK RECREATIONAL FISHING PLANS ...... 31 APPENDIX H: 2006 COMMERCIAL CATCHES AND SUMMARY OF 2004 AREA H SAMPLING PROGRAM...... 31 APPENDIX I: SALMON ENDOWMENT FUND ...... 31 APPENDIX J: ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION...... 31 APPENDIX K: DFO CONTACTS ...... 31
List of Tables
TABLE 1: INTERIM MANAGEMENT UNITS FOR FRASER RIVER CHINOOK SALMON...... 11
1. Introduction
Fraser River Chinook salmon are an important part of the ecology of the Fraser River watershed. They are the largest of the seven species of Pacific salmon (including steelhead and anadromous cutthroat) returning to the Fraser and have the widest distribution, with some stocks migrating distances over 900 km from the mouth to systems near the headwaters of the Fraser. They have sustained First Nations for thousands of years, provide important recreational harvesting opportunities, and were an important part of the colonization of British Columbia and commercialization of the British Columbia fishing industry.
This information document is intended to compliment the Southern BC Integrated Fisheries Management Plans for salmon. This document is necessary as Chinook fisheries in the Lower Fraser area generally start in March, the estimate of aggregate abundance used to determine allowable harvest levels for Chinook is also available in March but the Integrated Fishery Management Plans are usually not finalized until May or June of a given year.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue to consult with First Nations, recreational and commercial fishers to further co-ordinate Chinook fishing plans for 2007. Further consultation will occur as sector specific plans are finalized.
2. Lifecycle
There are several distinctly different life histories exhibited by Fraser River Chinook salmon. Chinook salmon spawn in numerous tributary systems throughout the Fraser watershed from just above the tidal limits to the upper tributaries of the Stuart drainage and Tete Jaune Cache near Mount Robson. Fry emerge from the gravel in the spring following spawning and then, depending on their freshwater rearing pattern, may migrate immediately to the estuary (e.g. Harrison), spend between 60 to 150 days in freshwater (e.g. Maria Slough and Lower Shuswap) or may spend up to a year between their natal system and downstream rearing areas before their migration to the coast.
The smolts adapt to salt water in the Fraser River estuary before migrating into marine waters. While the majority of lower Fraser stocks rear off the south-west coast of Vancouver Island (Harrison and Chilliwack fall stocks), coded wire tag (CWT) information has shown that other stocks may be found over a wide geographic area with many spring and summer run populations utilizing offshore marine waters, while others migrate and reside at least as far north as Southeast Alaska. During their ocean residence and depending on their ocean rearing location and return migrations, they may be subject to numerous fisheries. Offshore migrants such as the Interior spring and summer yearlings are less vulnerable to coastal fisheries than Lower Fraser fall stocks and the South Thompson summer stocks.
After one to three years spent feeding at sea, Chinook return to the Fraser River from February to November, primarily as three, four and five year old fish. They migrate back to their natal streams where spawning activity commences from early August until mid-November depending
Information Document to Assist Development Page 5 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan on the system. The following spring the fry of these returning fish emerge from the gravel and the lifecycle begins anew. 3. General Context
3.1. Policy Framework for the Management of Pacific Salmon Fisheries
Salmon management programs in 2007 will continue to be guided by policy and operational initiatives adopted over the past several years. These include; Canada’s Policy for Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon (WSP), An Allocation Policy for Pacific Salmon, A Policy for Selective Fishing, A Framework for Improved Decision Making in the Pacific Salmon Fishery, and Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting Framework.
The WSP, which was approved in 2005, sets out a process for the protection, preservation and rebuilding of wild salmon and their marine and freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of all Canadians. The policy provides for the identification of genetically discrete groupings of stocks (called “Conservation Units”) and the identification of upper and lower abundance benchmarks that are a measure of the status of each of these stock groupings.
A Conservation Unit is defined as a group of wild salmon that is sufficiently isolated from other groups that, if lost, is very unlikely to re-colonize naturally within an acceptable timeframe (e.g. a human lifetime or a specified number of salmon generations). A PSARC working paper describing the conservation units and the methods used to determine which salmon fit into a conservation unit is anticipated in late spring, 2007.
Other features of the WSP include the monitoring of habitat status and a process for public engagement in the establishment of upper abundance benchmarks that reflect social and economic values.
An Allocation Policy for Pacific Salmon, announced in 1999, is a significant step towards providing certainty and fairness by establishing clear priorities for allocation between fishing sectors and within the commercial fishery gear types.
In January 2001, the Department released A Policy for Selective Fishing in Canada’s Pacific Fisheries. Under the Department’s selective fishing initiative, harvester groups have experimented with a variety of methods to reduce the impact of fisheries on non- target species, with a number of measures reaching implementation in fisheries.
Consultative elements of an Improved Decision Making discussion paper have been implemented through establishment of the Consultation Secretariat, which works to improve the flow of information between stakeholders and the Department. Up-to-date information pertaining to on-going consultations can be found on the Secretariat’s website at:www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pages/consultations/consult_e.htm.
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A discussion paper outlining the potential approaches for commercial salmon fisheries to address the objectives set out in the Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting Framework were released for consultation in the fall of 2003. Monitoring programs will continue in 2007 to assess harvests (both target and non-target species) as well as other non-harvest mortalities.
In April 2005, the Department announced a blueprint for fundamental reform of Pacific Fisheries. This was in response to recognition of conservation concerns, very poor economic returns in the salmon fishery, and recommendations included in reports from the Joint Task Group (Drs P. Pearse and J. McRae) and the First Nations Panel (FNP). Both the JTG and FNP reports call for improved co-management and a clear process based on voluntary licence retirement for re-allocating fish stocks to First Nations. Both reports also call for a revised approach to the management of salmon to begin as soon as possible. The reports also make a number of other recommendations which are intended to improve the environmental and economic performance of the fishery.
3.2. Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST)
In March 1985, the United States and Canada agreed to co-operate in the management, research and enhancement of Pacific salmon stocks of mutual concern by ratifying the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST). Under the Treaty, Canada and the United States agreed on a Chinook conservation program (based on fixed catch ceilings in certain major mixed- stock ocean fisheries) to rebuild stocks from both countries by 1998. This strategy has met with mixed success; some populations are slowly rebuilding, while others remain depressed.
Starting in 1985, Canada based its Chinook fisheries management on a rebuilding strategy. Total exploitation rates on a brood year were reduced from past high levels in the range of 75% - 85%. The minimum requirement of the Pacific Salmon Treaty (1985) was a 15% reduction in total exploitation of the four indicator stocks identified at that time. This was in addition to domestic measures already in place, such as the closure of the terminal Fraser River commercial gillnet fishery, and measures required in pass- through fisheries to protect specific stocks.
The PST was revised in 1999. Chinook management changed so that fishing levels would vary in response to the annual production of Chinook salmon (aggregate abundance- based management AABM). If the ocean abundance of Chinook was poor, then the allowable harvest rates and catches would be reduced so that spawning escapements were protected. However, if the ocean abundance of Chinook was very good, then harvest rates and catches could increase, but only to a level that still protected spawning escapements.
The 1999 PST Annexes specifies allowable landed catches under the AABM management regime for three ocean fishing areas at various levels of Chinook abundance. These areas are:
Information Document to Assist Development Page 7 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan 1. SE Alaskan troll, net, and sport fisheries; 2. Northern BC troll and the Queen Charlotte Island sport fishery; and 3. the west coast of Vancouver Island troll and outside sport fisheries.
All other fisheries are referred to as Individual Stock Based Management (ISBM) and will be managed to an overall bilaterally-agreed harvest rate (catch will vary with the abundance of Chinook). Harvest rates are assessed for individual Canadian and US stocks using coded wire tag (CWT) data and the PSC Chinook Technical Committee (CTC) coast wide model to estimate exploitation rates.
For Canadian and US fisheries, the 1999 agreement established a general obligation to reduce exploitation rates in the ISBM fisheries to 63.5% and 60.0% of the respective average exploitation rates during the 1979-1982 base period. If returns were less than the biologically-based escapement goal then the ISBM fisheries can be required to further reduce their exploitation rates to improve escapements. If returns were greater than the goal, then the harvest rates (and catch) in ISBM fisheries could be increased so long as the goal was still achieved. Only one Fraser River Chinook stock has a biologically- based escapement goal (Harrison River) accepted by the PSC Chinook Technical Committee.
The major difference between the 1999 agreement and the 1985 PST is the necessity for a pre-season estimation of Chinook abundance in the ocean, and the need for agreed escapement goals for each Chinook stock identified in Attachments I to V of the 1999 agreement. Chinook forecasts are usually available in March. The establishment of escapement goals is the responsibility of each management agency but the technical basis for establishing a goal will be reviewed by the PSC Chinook Technical Committee.
3.3. Special Concerns for 2007
Survival rates for many stocks of Chinook salmon in the Pacific Northwest are substantially lower than they were in the 1980’s. Of particular concern are some of the earliest returning populations (e.g. Coldwater River, Spius Creek and Upper Chilcotin River). Escapements to these three early timed populations were very low in both 2005 and 2006. There is an increasing likelihood that conservation concerns may develop if these populations continue to display very low escapements in upcoming years.1. In addition there are several other early timed stocks, Louis Creek, Cottonwood and Westroad, that appear to be in a declining trend as well, although the information is less certain.
Migration characteristics of these stocks do not coincide with periods of heavy fishing activity throughout most of their migratory route. These stocks are usually not affected by adverse weather conditions (high water, high water temperature) but have been found to display low productivity. Review of recent data suggests that the First Nation fishery
1 PSARC Research Document 2001/134 Summary of stock assessment information for selected early returning Chinook salmon populations of the Fraser River watershed.
Page 8 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan in the lower Fraser River exerts the highest harvest rate on these early timed Chinook stocks (Bailey et al. CSAS 2001/134).
A review of the status of four early timed stocks within the Fraser River spring run Chinook aggregate (i.e., Upper Chilcotin, Coldwater, Spius, Birkenhead) was undertaken by the Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC) in 2001. Recommendations resulting from this review were to manage Canadian domestic Chinook fisheries up to the end of April each year in a manner that would not exceed an exploitation rate of 33% on these four stocks.
The Department has been managing the spring timed Chinook stocks (which includes the early timed component of this stock aggregate) using a fishing plan that has been reasonably consistent for years 2001 to 2006. Catches and associated harvest rates have varied during this time period. Fishing plans for the entire area need to be coordinated to ensure that differing management actions such as new gear and/or separate fishing times do not result in an increased harvest rate on early timed Chinook stocks.
Some lower Fraser First Nations have changed their method of fishing from set gill nets to drift gill nets. The information on changes in catch per unit effort is currently being analyzed. The analysis is expected to show that larger, more mobile nets have the potential to increase catch per unit effort and therefore, also the harvest rate.
Requests have been received from some lower Fraser First Nations for separate fishing times. The harvest rate impact of providing separate fishing times for First Nation groups in the lower Fraser canyon area must be determined. It is likely that separate fishing times in the canyon would lead to an increased harvest rate as the most productive sites would be fished for longer periods of time.
As of January 26, 2007, lower, middle and upper Fraser and Thompson River watershed snow pack levels were tracking at above normal levels as determined by monitoring stations in these areas. Further updates on this topic can be found at the following web address: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/rfc/
Information Document to Assist Development Page 9 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan 4. Management Objectives
4.1. Conservation
Conservation of Chinook is the primary objective and will take precedence in managing the resource.
The Department manages fisheries with the objective of ensuring that stocks are returning at sustainable levels. When returns decline below sustainable levels, management actions are taken which may include reducing the impact of fisheries on specific stocks, strategic enhancement and habitat restoration.
Fisheries openings and closures are designed to address conservation requirements first. Fishing times are adjusted to achieve this requirement, as information regarding run size, harvest rates, and escapement becomes available.
4.2. Aboriginal fisheries for food, social and ceremonial purposes
The objective is to manage fisheries to ensure that, subject to conservation needs, first priority is accorded to First Nations for opportunities to harvest fish for FSC purposes and any treaty obligations.
Consultations are on-going between Resource Management staff and First Nations, both within the Fraser River Watershed and outside the Watershed. Fishery plans are based upon stock conservation requirements and needs indicated by all Fraser River First Nations.
4.3. International Allocation
The objective is to manage Canadian treaty fisheries to ensure that obligations within the PST are achieved.
Pre-season fishing plans are formally discussed in bilateral meetings with the United States within the framework of the Pacific Salmon Commission. Scientists from both countries determine catch ceilings in mixed stock fishing areas (AABM fishing areas off the Queen Charlotte Islands and off the West Coast of Vancouver Island) considering the status of each of the stocks migrating through these areas. Each country is responsible for managing their respective fisheries to ensure these catch ceilings are not exceeded.
4.4. Domestic Allocations
The objective is to manage fisheries in a manner that is consistent with the Allocation Policy for Pacific Salmon.
The Allocation Policy for Pacific Salmon can be found online at: www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/publications/allocation/AllocationPolicyoct201.htm
Page 10 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan 5. Stock Assessment
5.1. Management Units Historically, Chinook salmon in the Fraser River have been divided into management units based on geography and timing however more recently, following a review of Chinook stock structure in 2002, they have been grouped based on life history. Until WSP Conservation Units are confirmed, the five interim management units are:
• Fraser spring-run age 42 • Fraser spring-run age 52 • Fraser summer-run age 52 • Fraser summer-run age 41 • Fraser fall-run age 41
Run timing is indicated by the words, spring, summer and fall. Life history is indicated by a number such as: 42. The large number represents the total age of the fish from its deposition in the gravel as an egg to its return to spawn. The subscript number represents the number of winters the fish spent in freshwater during the juvenile stages of their life history. Interim management units are outlined in Table 1.
Watersheds may have more than one population with different life history characteristics (e.g., run timing, time spent in freshwater, etc.).
Table 1: Interim Management Units for Fraser River Chinook salmon Management Unit Sample Streams Indicator Stock Fraser spring-run Bonaparte River, Bessette Creek, Nicola River age 42 Coldwater River, Deadman River , Nicola River, and Spius Creek Fraser spring-run Birkenhead River, Chilcotin River, upper Dome Creek age 52 Chilcotin River, Westroad River, Cottonwood River, Elkin Creek, Horsefly River, upper Cariboo River, upper Pitt River, Fraser River mainstem tributaries above Prince George (Bowron, Willow, Slim, McGregor etc.), spring runs of North Thompson and Salmon River in South Thompson Fraser summer-run Chilko River, Quesnel River, Stuart Chilko River (proposed) age 52 River, Taseko, Lower Cariboo River, and the Clearwater River
Information Document to Assist Development Page 11 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Management Unit Sample Streams Indicator Stock Fraser summer-run Lower Shuswap River, Mid Shuswap Lower Shuswap River age 41 River, Lower Adams River, Little River, South Thompson River, Lower Thompson River (below Kamloops Lake), and Maria Slough Fraser fall-run predominantly fish of Harrison River Chilliwack River age 41 origin (those natural spawners returning to the Harrison River, and transplanted populations to the Chilliwack, Chehalis, and Stave Rivers)
Long term escapement trends for each management unit are illustrated in Appendix B and C.
5.2. Lower Fraser River Stocks
Lower Fraser River Chinook stocks are numerically dominated by the fall returning, white-flesh Harrison River stock group, also known as the Fraser fall-run. The Fraser fall-run stock group includes the original natural population of fall returning Chinook to the Harrison River, and transplanted Harrison origin populations returning to the Chilliwack, Chehalis, and Stave Rivers. The Fraser fall-run stock group is unusual in that upon fry emergence from the gravel they migrate immediately to the estuary where they rear for three to six weeks before moving offshore instead of staying 60-150 days in freshwater as is typical of most stocks with an ocean-type life history.
In addition to the fall-run Chinook populations there are also relatively small, unique populations of spring and summer-run Chinook salmon returning to the lower Fraser River. These can be either red or white-fleshed stocks that typically exhibit a stream-type life history (i.e., Chinook fry that over-winter in fresh water and migrate to the ocean in their second spring) - Birkenhead, upper Pitt and spring and summer-run Chilliwack River populations are examples of this life history. Chinook returning to Maria Slough are distinct in the lower Fraser River in that they exhibit a summer-run ocean-type life history pattern.
The Chilliwack River watershed has two or possibly three distinct stock groups: • a spring-run population that spawns between Slesse Creek and the Chilliwack Lake outlet, • a summer-run population that predominately spawns in the upper reaches of the lower Chilliwack River above Slesse Creek, and • a transplanted Harrison-origin fall-run population that predominately spawns downstream of the Slesse Creek confluence.
Birkenhead Chinook are an early timed spring-run population that is thought to begin returning to the Fraser River as early as February. Peak migration into the Fraser is thought to occur in early April. DNA analysis of Albion Test Fishery catch data indicates Birkenhead Chinook continuing to be present in the lower Fraser River to mid-May.
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These fish are subject to First Nations fisheries in the Fraser mainstem and to First Nation fisheries and a non-retention recreational fishery in the Birkenhead and Lillooet Rivers. Recreational fishing for Chinook is prohibited in that portion of the Birkenhead River from the Birkenhead Bridge on Portage Road to the canyon approximately 10 km upstream of the bridge from August 1st to September 15th each year. This closure is to protect these Chinook during their critical spawning time. In addition, Birkenhead Chinook are far north migrators and are taken in Alaskan and northern troll fishereies and northern marine recreational fisheries.
5.3. Interior Fraser River Stocks
Chinook salmon in the interior Fraser River (above Hope) comprise a large and complex group of spawning populations. Interior Fraser Chinook have historically been divided into three major geographical regions:
• the upper Fraser (those returning upstream of Prince George and including Nechako), • middle Fraser (downstream of Prince George but excluding the Thompson), and • Thompson (which are divided into lower Thompson/Nicola, North Thompson, and South Thompson/Shuswap).
Within these regions, two migration times are recognized: early or spring-run, and summer-run.
5.4. Stock Assessment Methods
Assessment of the lower Fraser River Chinook spawning stocks rely on visual surveys, a mark-recapture project, and the coded-wire tagging of hatchery produced fish.
The Harrison River is the only lower Fraser River system where spawner abundance is estimated by mark-recapture methods. This project has been conducted annually since 1984. Since 1985, the Fraser-fall run component returning to the Chilliwack River population has been estimated with an extensive dead pitch program. Additionally, in certain years, visual surveys of a suite of smaller stocks including Birkenhead and upper Pitt Rivers, as well as Maria Slough provide some information on escapements.
In the BC Interior, assessment of these large stock aggregates is largely formed by annual estimates of escapement by aerial surveys, mark-recapture (Nicola River, Louis Creek, and lower Shuswap River), and electronic counter (Deadman River). Trends in these spawning escapements, comparisons of spawning abundance to Wild Salmon Policy benchmarks, and the relative distribution of spawners among rivers are all used to assess stock status.
Additional technical information on stock assessment as it related to exploitation rates can be found in Appendix J.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 13 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan 5.5. Forecasts
Forecasts of the next year’s pre-fishery ocean abundance and expected escapement of Fraser fall-run (Harrison and Chilliwack rivers) Chinook are developed for use in the Chinook Technical Committee’s coastwide modeling work. This is the only stock group in the Fraser River, and only one of two Canadian Chinook stocks, for which a forecast is calculated. Quantitative forecasts for most Fraser River Chinook are not prepared by DFO. The Chinook Technical Committee coastwide model calculates a forecast of ocean abundance for these stocks in the aggregate.
A forecast for 2007 is not available at this time, but will be by mid to late March. Forecasts are not adjusted in-season since there is insufficient information for updates (e.g. CWT recoveries in southern U.S. fisheries are not reported in-season).
Additional technical information on the Harrison River Chinook, stock assessment, and forecasting can be found in Appendix J.
5.6. Escapement Objectives
The escapement goals currently being used were set in 1986 following negotiation of the original Pacific Salmon Treaty in 1985. While there were a variety of methodologies that could have been used to determine escapement goals, it was agreed to establish the goals at twice the average escapement observed during the period 1979 to 1982. This strategy was to be used until 1998 at which time the goals were to be reviewed. Scientists are now evaluating current information and with the implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy, discussions have commenced regarding identification of Conservation Units. Following this, lower (conservation) and upper (target) benchmarks will be set based on input from a broad spectrum of interests.
More information on setting future escapement goals for Fraser River Chinook populations can be found in Appendix J.
5.7. Albion Test Fishery
Since 1981, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has conducted a Chinook test fishery at Albion, British Columbia (near Fort Langley) from early April to late-October. The test fishery is conducted each year with a drifted gillnet at a specific site by the Albion ferry crossing in the Fraser River.
For each sampling event, two 30-minute sets are made daily - just prior to and after daylight high tide. The original net was 8-inch mesh, but beginning in 1997 a multi- panel net was used on alternate days. The multi-panel net consisted of panels of five, six, seven, eight, and nine inch mesh, and was fished identically to the standard net. The purpose of the multi-panel net was to provide a more accurate sample of the Chinook stock assemblages passing the test fishing area by including both smaller and larger mesh panels. Intuitively, we expected the catch in the multi-panel net to more fully represent the wide range of body sizes of Fraser River Chinook stocks.
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Analysis of the 1997 to 2001 data was initiated in 2001. The primary objective was to identify the new information the multi-panel net provided, particularly as it pertained to in-season management and stock assessment, and assess which net best indexed in-river Chinook abundance. The secondary objective of the analysis was to establish a relationship between the catch of the standard Chinook (8 inch) and the multi-panel nets in order to provide uniform relative abundance estimates. The study estimated population specific migration timing and aggregated population abundance indices by using DNA and CWT information to estimate the population origin of individual fish. This analysis indicated that the test fishery adequately measured in-river abundance (Parken et al. 2004).
The operation of the test fishery in 2006 was the same as in 2005; alternate days fishing with the standard 8 inch mesh net and the multi-panel net. The total 2006 catch from both nets from April 1, 2006 to October 20, 2006 was 1334 Chinook. The cumulative catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the 8 inch net from April 1 to October 20 was 148.22 (adjusted for days the multi-panel net was fished). This value is approximately 50% of the long term average. Catch information from the Albion Test Fishery can be found in Appendix A or at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fraserriver/commercial.htm.
Legal decisions in 2006 from cases involving the use of fish to fund departmental activities may significantly affect test fishing activities. The implications to the operation of the Albion test fishery have not yet been resolved. 6. Enhancement
Egg targets, eggs taken and fry/smolt release details for all South Coast hatcheries can be found in the South Coast Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Salmon available online at:
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/MPLANS/MPlans.htm
6.1. Chilliwack River Hatchery
On the Chilliwack River, the spring Chinook population is thought to be a mixed population of indigenous and transplanted mid-Fraser stocks. From 1985 to 1988, mid/upper Fraser River Chinook were transplanted from Bowron (Spring-run 52), Slim (Spring-run 52), Finn (Spring-run 52), Chilko (Summer-run 52) and Quesnel (Summer-run 52), stocks. Between 1981 and 1985, some upper Pitt (Spring run 52) white-fleshed Chinook were transplanted into this system to reportedly bolster a weak summer-run. Harrison Chinook were transplanted to the Chilliwack River in the early 1980’s. This population is sustained predominately through continuing enhancement by the Chilliwack hatchery. Escapements of the spring and summer-run populations are significantly smaller than those of the fall-run population.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 15 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan 6.2. Chehalis Hatchery The Chehalis River historically had a spring/summer-run red-fleshed Chinook population that was enhanced in the late eighties with summer-run red-fleshed populations from Slim Creek and Chilliwack River. This population arrives on the spawning grounds in late June to July with peak of spawn usually occurring from late August to early September.
6.3. Birkenhead Hatchery
The Birkenhead Hatchery on the Birkenhead River was established in 1977. The hatchery suffered devastating damage in the flood of the fall of 2003 and is now closed. This volunteer-run hatchery was operated by the Pemberton Wildlife Association (PWA) and enhanced both Chinook and coho. The impact of the hatchery closure is unknown. Historical CWT tag returns indicated 15 - 25% contribution of enhanced Chinook to the run. As Birkenhead Chinook have a five year life cycle, 2007 will likely be the last year we will see returns from this hatchery enhancement program.
6.4. Interior Fraser Chinook Enhancement
Since the early 1980’s, the main hatcheries enhancing upper Fraser River Chinook have been the Eagle, Shuswap, Clearwater, and Spius (all Thompson); the Quesnel (mid- Fraser); and Stuart (upper Fraser). Since the early 1990’s, the Clearwater, Eagle, Quesnel, and Stuart facilities have been closed. Some enhancement still occurs throughout the watershed, mostly linked to stock assessment and the production of coded-wire tag mark groups. Overall, enhancement is thought to have a relatively small effect on the total number of Chinook returning to the interior Fraser although the effects on certain watersheds may be significant (e.g., Nicola watershed enhanced by Spius hatchery and Shuswap stocks from the Shuswap hatchery). 7. First Nations Fisheries
7.1. 2006 Fishery Summary
First Nations both in and outside the Fraser River are provided with an opportunity to harvest Fraser River Chinook. The number of fishing days is dependent upon the conservation needs of Chinook stocks and other species, such as sockeye, wild steelhead and Interior Fraser coho salmon. Alterations to fishing patterns, reached via consensus, are subject to ensuring escapement requirements are met.
Once sockeye enter the Fraser River, management actions are driven by considerations for those stocks and Chinook are generally harvested as by-catch. Conservation concerns for wild steelhead and coho salmon have resulted in net fisheries being curtailed from early September to mid October in recent years. There is no information available that would suggest this pattern will change in the near future.
Page 16 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Stock identification information indicates that those Chinook stocks entering the river from February to July 15 are bound for tributary systems in the lower Thompson basin, the middle and upper Fraser basins, as well as the Birkenhead River in the Harrison River system. These stocks are understood to have a low productivity and individual stocks range in size from 100 to > 10,000 spawners.
Pre-season consultations with Lower Fraser First Nations in 2006 resulted in a fishing regime, reached via consensus, that was designed to reduce the impacts on the earliest timed Chinook stocks.
In 2006, selective Chinook fisheries took place in those times when Early Stuart sockeye were migrating through the river. There were no targeted fisheries on Early Stuart sockeye as these fish were forecast to return at numbers well below the cycle average. In the Lower River (downstream of Sawmill Creek) selective Chinook fisheries utilized 8 inch drifted gill nets and additional monitoring to ensure that impacts on sockeye were minimal. In the areas upstream of Sawmill Creek, the use of dip nets or rod and reel was authorized.
A table of First Nations fishery openings and catch for 2006 can be found in Appendix E.
7.2. Catch Monitoring
All First Nation’s fisheries are authorized by communal licence. The majority of areas have catch monitoring systems in place to estimate catches. In areas where there is not a specific catch monitoring program, the fisher is required by licence to report his/her catch to the band and the band to report to DFO.
Areas where specific catch reporting programs have been implemented include:
a) Below the Port Mann Bridge
During fisheries for food, social, and ceremonial purposes, catch monitoring is undertaken by Aboriginal Fishery Officers and First Nations fishery monitors who collect hail information from the fishers. This information is compiled by each band and forwarded to DFO following the close of the fishery.
b) Port Mann Bridge to Sawmill Creek
i) Set net and drift net fishery between Port Mann Bridge and Mission: Charter Patrolmen count effort and take on-the-water hails during the Katzie, Kwantlen and Matsqui drift net fisheries. In addition, First Nations monitors collect hails at Katzie Reserve Dock, Barnston Island and the Kwantlen Reserve Dock at Fort Langley. Set net fishers hail in their data by phone to band fisheries offices.
ii) Set net and drift net fishery between Mission and Sawmill Creek: Monitors are stationed at main access points on the river during daylight hours, every day that the fishery is open to collect catch per unit effort (CPUE) and 24-hour effort surveys.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 17 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Sites include: Leq’a:mel, Island 22/Kilby, Skway, Scowlitz, Seabird, Agassiz Bridge, Hunter Creek, Chawathil Reserve, Coquihalla, and Yale Beach. A First Nations supervisor oversees the monitors at their sites, and ensures that they have the necessary data collection forms.
Helicopter over flights are used to conduct instantaneous gear counts between Mission and Sawmill Creek. These over flights are conducted once during the fishery and require one flight technician on each flight.
Data collection forms are gathered from each of the monitors at the various monitoring sites and provided to DFO. DFO then produces catch estimates for each opening by expanding the catch rates by effort counts to generate weekly catch estimates.
c) Sawmill Creek to Kelly Creek and the Thompson River downstream of the Bonaparte River, Kelly Creek upstream to Deadman Creek and Deadman Creek to Naver Creek
A sample survey program during FN directed chinook fisheries is conducted by FNs /DFO staff along the Fraser River between Sawmill Creek and Kelly Creek and in the Thompson River downstream of the Bonaparte River confluence. Fishery Technicians interview all fishers encountered during random roving vehicle patrols to obtain catch and effort information (CPUE). Fishing effort is obtained by averaging the count of each type of active gear observed during a given week.
No catch monitoring program was undertaken in the mainstem Fraser River from Kelly Creek upstream to Deadman Creek during directed First Nation chinook fisheries. Catch and effort in directed Chinook fisheries in this area is extremely small. Catch monitoring is undertaken by members of the High Bar Indian Band when sockeye fisheries occur in this area. Chinook caught incidentally in fisheries directed on sockeye salmon are enumerated.
Very limited First Nation fisheries directed on Chinook salmon occur in the mainstem Fraser River from Deadman Creek to Naver Creek. Accordingly, no monitoring program is in place to monitor catch in directed Chinook fisheries. Monitoring occurs during directed sockeye fisheries in this area and Chinook harvested incidentally to directed sockeye fisheries are enumerated.
d) Naver Creek upstream and the Nechako River to Isle Pierre
Lheidli T’enneh Nation monitor each of the fisheries via collecting hail information from the fishers.
e) Nechako River upstream of Isle Pierre and the Stuart System
Lheidli T’enneh Nation monitor each of the fisheries via collecting hail information from the fishers.
Page 18 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan f) Thompson River upstream of the Bonaparte River
The Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation Fisheries Commission monitor each of the fisheries on a census basis utilizing staff from their individual member bands.
g) Shuswap River (Shuswap Falls to Mabel Lake)
The Okanagan Nation Alliance monitor their fisheries on a census basis utilizing staff from their individual member bands.
7.3. 2007 Fishing Plan
The objective of the 2007 harvest strategy for early season First Nations fisheries is to provide access to First Nations for food, social and ceremonial needs while addressing fishery exploitation rate concerns on early timed Fraser Chinook stocks. Fisheries in the latter part of the year are managed to protect other stocks of concern such as wild steelhead and Interior Fraser coho stocks
The following management approach is presented for consideration:
• In order to provide for clear migration of Early timed Fraser Chinook create a weekly window closure during which there would be no fishing for the period March 15 until April 30.
Note: First Nations fisheries for Chinook on the Lower Fraser generally start around March 15.
The Department also encourages discussion among all Fraser River First Nation groups in the watershed in the development of fishing plans. Improved discussion and coordination regarding the development of a Fraser River watershed Chinook fishing plan for First Nations will assist in addressing conservation concerns for all early timed Fraser River Chinook stocks.
Selective fisheries may be considered during periods of increased Chinook abundance. Selective methods must ensure that co-migrating stocks of concern are avoided or released unharmed. First Nations are encouraged to submit their selective fishing proposals as soon as possible. Compliance with 2006 licence conditions for selective fisheries will be considered during the review of selective fishing proposals. 8. Recreational Fisheries
8.1. Fishery Summary The marine waters off the Pacific coast of British Columbia are generally open for harvest of Chinook salmon year round. Recreational harvest is constrained using daily and annual limits. The coast-wide daily limit for chinook is two. The total chinook annual limit is 30 from any tidal waters, of which at most, 10 may be caught in the tidal
Information Document to Assist Development Page 19 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan waters of the Fraser River; 15 may be caught in the waters of Areas 12 to 18, 28 and 29 and that portion of Area 19 north of Cadboro Point; 20 may be caught in the waters of Area 20 and that portion of Area 19 south of Cadboro Point.
Recreational harvest is further constrained using minimum size limits (minimum size limit 45 cm coast wide with the exception of a 62 cm size limit in Johnstone Strait, the Strait of Georgia and the Fraser River mouth), maximum size limits (in some areas), reduced daily quotas and closed areas. Closed areas may be closed year-round or closed seasonally depending on local stocks.
Historically, the recreational fishery in the Fraser River, downstream from Sawmill Creek was open year-round with a daily limit of 4 Chinook and no annual limit. In 1980, the fishery was closed to assist in rebuilding Chinook stocks. When the fishery re-opened, it started on June 1st of each year. In 1998, the recreational Chinook fishery was opened on May 1 based on an assessment that the additional fishing time and associated catch and effort would not compromise long term sustainability of Fraser Chinook stocks.
In 2006, the Lower Fraser River recreational fishery was open from May 1st to December 31.
In all non-tidal waters there is an annual limit of 10 Chinook. Daily limits range from one to two adults per day. In the Lower Fraser River, an adult Chinook is defined as a Chinook over 50 cm in length except during the fall when the larger Harrison origin fish predominate. From September 1 to December 31 in those waters downstream of the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge, an adult Chinook is defined as being over 62 cm.
Details on recreational Chinook opportunities may be found online at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/default_e.htm 8.2. Catch Monitoring DFO obtains most of its catch information through the Creel Survey Program which is carried out in recreational fisheries that have displayed important catch and effort characteristics in past years. This program incorporates surveys by land (access point and roving surveys) and air of active fishermen.
In 2006, the lower Fraser River was surveyed between Sumas and Hope from May 1st to October 9th, and the Chilliwack River was surveyed from September 15th to November 15th. While Nicomen Slough and Norrish Creek were surveyed from October 9th to November 30th, anglers were not allowed to retain Chinook in these two systems.
Chinook salmon recreational openings in specific sections of the Fraser River upstream of Sawmill Creek, the Bridge River, the lower Shuswap River, Mabel Lake and the Thompson River at Spences Bridge are also surveyed during their open times. Preliminary catch numbers are available in Appendixes G, H, and I.
Page 20 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan The Strait of Georgia (STG) creel operates from May to October and covers Areas 13 to 19, 28, 29 and that portion of Area 20 east of Sherringham Point. In most years, the Victoria portion of Area 19 is creeled for the full year, however, in 2006 the November period was not covered due to budgetary concerns.
The Strait of Juan de Fuca (the portion of Area 20 west of Sherringham Point) and the West Coast of Vancouver Island (Areas 23 to 27, 121 and 123 to 127) are covered by the West Coast (WC) creel program which operates from June to September. Fishing effort drops markedly after Labour Day.
The Johnstone Strait (Area 12) creel program goes from July to August, the time period of most effort.
Information on creeled areas is provided in Appendix F.
8.3. 2007 Fishing Plan
For 2007, the Department will be consulting on the following:
• Allowing retention of Chinook on the Fraser River downstream of the Alexandra Bridge as of May 1. • The proposed daily limit is 4 Chinook, only one of which may be an adult*. The possession limit is two times the daily limit. The gear permitted is one line per angler, with a single, barbless hook restriction in place. A bar rig is also permitted but only in those waters downstream of the Mission Bridge.
*An adult Chinook is defined as being over 50 cm except from September 1 to December 31, in those waters downstream of the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge when an adult Chinook is defined as being over 62 cm.
Tables outlining the proposed tidal and non tidal recreational Chinook opportunities in the Strait of Georgia and Fraser River watershed for the 2007 fishing season are provided in Appendix G. 9. Commercial
9.1. Overall Commercial Fishery Summary
Fraser River Chinook migrating along northern (Johnstone Strait) and southern (Juan de Fuca Strait) approach routes to the Fraser River are harvested in a number of fisheries. These fish are taken as by-catch in sockeye net fisheries (seine and gillnet) in Johnstone Strait, Juan de Fuca Strait, Fraser River and Alaska. In addition, there are directed fisheries for Chinook by WCVI, North Coast and Alaskan troll fisheries. Only very limited directed commercial net fisheries (i.e., 2004 Area E gillnet exploratory fishery) have occurred within the Fraser River since 1980.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 21 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan During the last seven years, a mandatory non-retention requirement in all South and North Coast seine fisheries has significantly reduced Chinook mortalities. Over the past few years the majority of the Fraser River commercial Chinook catch has been taken in the Area F commercial troll fishery in northern B.C. waters. Fall-run Chinook stocks are also harvested in the Area G commercial troll fishery off the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The principal U.S. fisheries harvesting Fraser River Chinook are the net fisheries in Juan de Fuca Strait, the San Juan Islands area, and off Point Roberts. The Fraser Chinook catch taken in Southeast Alaska is unknown but thought to be smaller.
9.2. Catch Monitoring
Commercial catch data for the salmon fishery is gathered primarily from fisher hail reports, fish slips, mandatory phone catch reporting requirements, logbooks, on board observers, offload sampling and CWT catch sampling programs. Fish slips are required when fish are sold, offloaded or taken home for personal consumption. The number and weight of each salmon species landed and/or sold are required on the slip.
DFO obtains further information about salmon average weight data through a Mark Recovery Program (MRP). This program involves collecting salmon heads from adipose fin clipped fish from commercial, recreational and aboriginal landings. When the samplers are at a plant, they also collect individual salmon weights to contribute to the average weight estimate. An average weight estimate is obtained by species, and gear, MRP catch region and fishing period (week). The average weight is used to calculate pieces from the total weight reported on the fish slips.
A table of all Canadian commercial catches of Chinook can be found in Appendix H.
9.3. Area E Gillnet – Fraser River
Directed gillnet fisheries for Chinook within the Fraser River have been closed since 1980 in order to rebuild stocks. Retention of Chinook by-catch is permitted during the in-river commercial gillnet sockeye fisheries that take place from late July to early September and chum fisheries in October and November.
In 2004, Area E Gillnet Association (AEGA) submitted a multi-year proposal to conduct a limited opportunity "exploratory" Chinook-targeted fishery. The planned timing of this fishery was late July to mid-August, within the peak abundance timing period of the summer run Chinook aggregate. Fisheries were planned to occur during times when a commercial sockeye TAC was available for harvest.
Plans to continue with year two of this proposal in 2005 and 2006 were cancelled.
During pre-season discussions with AEGA advisors, the possibility of continuing the chinook exploratory program in 2007 will be reviewed. DFO staff will continue evaluating the status of chinook stocks and reviewing the impacts of this fishery. In
Page 22 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan reviewing the viability and direction of this proposal, the Department will be consulting with First Nations and stakeholders in order to make a decision about the future direction of this initiative. 9.4. Area G Troll – West Coast of Vancouver Island Under the Pacific Salmon Treaty, West Coast of Vancouver Island chinook fisheries are managed through an Aggregate Abundance Based Management model. Fisheries are prosecuted on an aggregate of different U.S. and Canadian chinook stocks. Abundance forecasts provide estimates for 2 years in advance. The fall 2005 stock information was used to forecast the aggregate abundance of all Chinook stocks for fall 2006 through to fall 2007.
The 2006 forecast information provides for a domestic surplus of approximately 160,400 Chinook for the 2006-2007 chinook year. (October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007). For planning purposes, the domestic harvest levels are estimated to be:
• First Nations FSC – 5,000 pieces • Recreational – in the range of 40,000 to 50,000 pieces • Area G Commercial – in the range of 120,000 to 110,000 pieces
It is important to note that the aggregate abundance can, and usually does change in April when stock information from the previous fall can be entered in the model. It is possible that in April 2007, the aggregate chinook abundance will increase; which in turn will increase the number of chinook available for domestic harvest requirements.
5. Area H Troll – Strait of Georgia
Area H trollers are planning to submit a Chinook sampling program, similar to previous years, to the Department for consideration. The objectives of the Area H proposal are to: • Determine areas and times where stocks of concern can be avoided while targeting abundant stocks by gathering stock composition information; • Gather catch and biological information on Chinook stocks focusing on months where significant data gaps are thought to exist; and • Use the information to investigate the feasibility of a future small troll fishery for Area H.
The focus for 2007 will be on Area 29 and the terminal (near Fraser River mouth) assessment of the South Thompson and Harrison Chinook by sampling in August and September. The Area H Association will be paying for all costs of analyzing the DNA samples and providing a written report to the Department.
The Area H Chinook sampling program was designed to determine stock composition in a variety of areas during different time periods. This project has been reduced to focus on the more abundant stocks in the Fraser River (i.e. South Thompson and Harrison origin) to gather Chinook stock composition through DNA sampling, to confirm the impacts on by-catch while determining the viability of troll harvest in the terminal area of the Fraser River. All sampling and analysis is funded by Area H. The data generated can then be
Information Document to Assist Development Page 23 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan used in future discussions and consultations regarding the possibility for a limited catch controlled fishery when and if stocks and access policy warrant.
9.5. Area F Troll – North Coast
Prior to 2005, the Salmon Licence Area F (Northern Troll) fishery was managed under a limited entry licensing system with the total harvest controlled largely through fishery openings and closures. The fishery itself was operated in a competitive "derby" style where all licensed fishers are entitled to fish in order to maximize their harvest during the open periods.
In 2005 and 2006, a demonstration fishery was conducted to test the feasibility and the benefits of changing the management of the fishery to an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system. The implementation of this system directly controlled the total harvest by setting limits on the harvest by individual fishers.
A Chinook allocation to the fleet is calculated based on the Aggregate Abundance Based Management model. For 2006, that allowable catch of chinook for the combined North Coast Troll and Queen Charlotte Islands recreational fishery was 223,200 pieces. The pre-season estimate of recreational catch was 70,000 pieces, leaving 153,200 fish as the pre-season troll allocation. The North Coast trollers landed 158,363 Chinook in 2006 and the Queen Charlotte Island recreational catch was 64,500 fish for a total Chinook catch of 222,863.
Chinook catches in the North Coast troll fishery were sampled and DNA analyses were conducted. This fishery is constrained by a management objective designed to limit the exploitation of Chinook stocks originating from the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Due to these constraints the fishery generally does not open until mid-May to early June and closes in September. Based on this analysis approximately 45% of the 2006 Area F Troll Chinook catch originated from the Fraser River system. With the majority of the Fraser Chinook (88%) originating from the South Thompson River.
Results from the 2006 Area F Sampling Program are presented in Appendix H.
Page 24 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix A: Albion Test Fishery
The following figures summarize catches in the Albion Chinook test fishery for 2006 and compare these catches with data averaged from previous years. Figure 1 gives the daily catch per unit effort (CPUE) and compares it to the average of the historical data from 1981-2005. Figure 2 give cumulative CPUE and compares it to average cumulative CPUE from 1981 - 2005. The advantage of viewing CPUE cumulatively is a better understanding of the total success of the year’s fishery as compared to the historical average.
2006 Total Chinook Daily Index vs. 1981-2005 Average (8" Net)
5.00 2006 4.50 1981-2005 4.00 3.50 3.00 2.50
Index 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00
r y y y l un Ju Jul ug ep ct ct -Apr -Jun A S O -Apr -May -Ma Ma 0- -O 1 1-Ap 1 1 1-Ma 0-J 0-Jun 0 10-Jul 20- 3 9-Aug 8-Sep 8- 1 2 1 21 31- 1 2 3 19-Aug 29- 18-Sep 28- 18 Date
2006 Total Chinook Cumulative Index vs. 1981-2005 Average (8" Net)
350.00
300.00
250.00 1981-2005 2006 200.00
150.00
100.00 Cumulative Index Cumulative
50.00
0.00
r y y n l p p p t t p a a u un un u ul ug c ay J J Oc O -A M 9-J A - 1-Apr 0-Apr 7- 6-M 5-M 3-J 0-J 18- 27-Jul 5-Aug 1-Sep 0-Se 9-Se 8-Se 7 1 19-Apr28 1 2 12-Jun21- 3 14-Aug23- 1 1 2 16-
Date
Information Document to Assist Development Page 25 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix B: Chinook escapement estimates to tributaries in the lower Fraser River
Early timed stocks are highlighted and indicator stocks are presented in bold italics.
Chilliwack Maria Upper Pitt Stave Harrison River Birkenhead Lillooet Year River Slough River River Visual M.R. River River 1971 25 75 7,500 n/o 15,000 n/r 250 n/r 1972 200 200 750 n/o 15,000 n/r 400 n/r 1973 100 200 750 n/o 35,000 n/r 200 n/r 1974 100 75 500 n/o 35,000 n/r 400 n/r 1975 100 75 300 n/o 15,000 n/r 200 400 1976 25 25 750 n/o 7,500 n/r 200 400 1977 25 200 700 n/o 25,000 n/r 600 400 1978 100 150 150 25 15,000 n/r 400 400 1979 50 75 250 n/r 15,000 n/r 200 750 1980 50 100 200 n/r 10,000 n/r 300 300 1981 25 20 325 n/o 20,000 n/r 100 300 1982 25 50 300 n/r 22,000 n/r 400 1,000 1983 8 50 300 n/r 6,000 n/r 550 650 1984 50 30 n/o n/r 15,000 120,837 300 500 1985 1,492 200 n/o n/r 50,000 174,778 200 200 1986 4,291 110 300 n/r 35,000 162,596 150 n/r 1987 16,790 4 350 n/r n/r 79,038 80 n/r 1988 14,467 67 850 n/r n/r 35,116 412 n/r 1989 2,933 50 375 n/r n/r 74,685 415 200 1990 1,570 25 450 n/r n/r 177,375 275 n/r 1991 8,392 n/r 150 n/r n/r 90,638 242 n/r 1992 35,856 n/r 300 n/r n/r 130,411 713 50 1993 17,834 n/r 175 n/r n/r 118,998 241 n/r 1994 6,826 n/r n/r n/r n/r 98,334 343 n/r 1995 29,820 n/r n/r n/r n/r 28,616 162 n/r 1996 21,928 100 n/r n/r n/r 56,809 293 n/r 1997 79,717 100 n/r n/r n/r 72,277 573 n/r 1998 78,780 150 n/r 1,046 n/r 188,420 565 n/r 1999 74,945 198 n/r 600 n/r 106,995 147 n/r 2000 70,983 266 n/r 550 n/r 125,854 404 n/r 2001 68,247 400 n/r 822 n/r 113,777 624 n/r 2002 58,852 1,200 276 1,000 n/r 89,968 463 n/r 2003 56,995 823 171 1,000 n/r 247,121 427 n/r 2004 67,952 n/r n/r 1,000 n/r 128,944 180 n/r 2005 39,429 444 * 341 * 1,200 n/r 86,730 1,425 * n/r 2006 not yet avail. 425 ** 248 ** 1,500 * n/r 50,942 ** 1,162 ** n/r
M.R. mark-recapture study design n/r none recorded (escapement program did not proceed) n/o none observed * Near Final ** Preliminary
Page 26 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix C: 1993-2006 Chinook escapement estimates to tributaries in the BC Interior
C.T.C. Indicator Stream 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Spring - Run Age 1.3 ( 5 sub 2 ) Upper Pit River 175 N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R 276 171 N/R 341 N/A Birkenhead River* 241 343 162 293 573 565 147 404 624 463 427 180 1425 1162 Bridge River 950 615 851 1900 1968 626 898 769 198 969 N/I 1115 183 109 Chilcotin River 3100 6354 3480 2285 4000 1636 2896 2971 1574 2092 3396 1064 1509 1027 Cottonwood River 4470 4690 2100 1750 3329 2592 641 1208 781 1352 1555 1241 646 740 Horsefly River 200 4154 185 400 115 43 137 174 281 380 246 375 509 345 Westroad River 3200 6150 6050 4615 7206 3827 984 1600 1924 1620 2966 1366 846 1052 Bowron River 6140 9104 8316 4577 7334 7618 3455 3220 5491 8719 10059 8160 4074 3876 Fraser R. ( Tete Juane ) 3300 4240 6000 4100 2935 2586 2081 2262 4976 3913 3048 2062 2535 2142 Goat River 55 293 400 440 354 302 89 212 411 820 569 174 151 158 Holmes River 2100 1877 2600 2775 3203 2362 523 1795 1018 3740 4110 1376 821 1458 Horsey River 130 unk 120 20 75 57 14 128 78 308 288 62 34 146 McKale River N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 20 present 32 9 81 49 68 78 11 McGregor Tributaries unk 1851 2412 3461 2505 4471 1870 2449 2420 3751 4103 3253 1310 1333 Chilako Creek 25 119 200 624 186 39 115 20 7 229 N/I 106 202 168 Endako River 20 200 125 167 43 191 171 160 275 292 N/I N/I 252 118 Ormond Creek N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/I N/I N/I N/I Nevin Creek N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 161 46 62 57 132 385 238 77 174 Slim Creek 1300 2473 4634 2268 3130 2664 1235 2112 2876 3021 3676 2284 2161 2204 Swift Creek 1000 886 1700 1500 1200 1098 375 486 982 1535 835 520 335 643 Walker Creek 150 240 101 426 122 392 206 252 177 381 543 277 103 234 Torpy River 1000 1921 1590 1055 1042 2293 1819 1468 1755 2565 4457 2730 1027 1221 Willow River 600 1170 817 1612 1961 2041 717 1314 893 1033 1980 1887 1012 1206 Barriere River 50 44 21 unk unk N.I. present 77 362 377 131 306 220 215 Finn Creek 1300 1837 810 1569 725 632 524 1511 1115 650 45 538 185 157 Eagle River 1100 1200 700 780 915 N.I. 624 1085 1397 1458 1583 867 427 521 Salmon River ( Prince George ) 25 729 901 1054 1200 1362 823 634 478 429 2395 1681 668 544 Salmon River ( Salmon Arm ) 1850 800 700 727 252 284 350 357 1362 1003 89 395 307 554
Stock Aggregate Totals 32481 51290 44975 38398 44373 37862 20740 26761 31521 41589 47106 32325 21438 20247
* historical estimates to the Birkenhead River are currently under review.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 27 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan
C.T.C. Indicator Stream 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Spring Run Age 1.2 ( 4 sub 2 ) Deadman River 1200 1591 540 1506 934 665 350 787 780 1940 1159 417 1234 Spius Creek 900 150 500 500 450 300 52 668 603 1012 1170 1866 291 529 Coldwater River 1500 275 1050 1500 400 300 267 497 781 1394 1195 1018 183 478 Nicola River 4000 7970 6500 16400 7614 1211 7263 8808 7771 11643 14574 7850 2926 3863 Louis Creek 20 510 800 420 480 377 183 611 349 481 198 105 63 297 Bessette Creek 270 100 280 400 N.I. 150 404 360 323 350 N/O 182 18 241
Stock Aggregate Totals 7890 10596 9670 20726 9878 3003 8519 11731 10607 16820 17137 12180 3898 6642
Summer Run Age 1.3 ( 5 sub 2 )
Portage Creek 330 36 N/R 300 N/R 18 200 46 248 445 158 103 86 248 Seton River 150 69 N/R N/I N/R N/I N/I N/I N/O 6 5 N/I Present N/I Chilko River 6343 5665 10461 17000 16272 14549 8920 9171 10891 11027 21625 16287 7668 5201 Quesnel River 5028 1549 3073 3100 3185 4906 1620 1718 2418 5520 5265 3356 3230 2665 Cariboo River 2480 2000 817 1850 1800 936 573 744 503 1097 2198 351 526 949 Stuart River 1000 2420 3730 7415 6221 4642 3875 1875 1954 Present Present Present Present Present Nechako River 664 1144 1689 2040 1954 1868 1917 N/A 9331 5546 4077 5189 3217 7376 Stellako River N/R 10 N/R N/R N/R 15 18 N/R N/R N/R N/O N/I 231 0 Clearwater River 2700 5450 5100 7780 7830 7007 3837 4563 5051 5689 6234 4622 3519 3768 Raft River 190 935 1371 870 1230 309 712 936 237 443 311 741 109 141 North Thompson River 2400 4164 N.I. 2375 2130 2156 3375 2732 3175 2200 1989 N/I N/I N/I
Stock Aggregate Totals 21285 23337 26241 42430 40622 36388 24847 21739.4 33560 31522 41699 30546 18586 20100
Page 28 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan
C.T.C. Indicator Stream 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Summer Run Age 0.3 ( 4 sub 1 ) Maria Slough N/R N/R N/R 100 100 150 198 266 400 1200 823 N/R 439 314 Adams River 800 1800 1900 2200 3400 4182 2029 2266 5890 3674 2496 2216 3837 6344 Little River unk 400 150 3000 1850 1246 1163 2043 9885 3680 2488 6000 7504 8590 Lower Shuswap River 6000 10150 10000 19000 13100 16704 24691 20409 18349 19327 21380 13329 12927 28828 Middle Shuswap River 2500 4000 3000 5000 3800 4474 2449 2617 3022 5442 4799 1415 1883 5468 Thompson River (Below Kamloops Lake) 2015 3205 6904 18927 N/A 10010 Present 23646 South Thompson River 4000 3000 5500 21600 27000 41277 22675 17560 36740 51298 38178 38592 61837 103387
Stock Aggregate Totals 13300 19350 20550 50900 49250 68033 55220 48366 81190 103548 70164 71562 88427 176577
Late Run Age 0.3 ( 4 sub 1 ) Harrison River, Falls
Non CTC Indicator Streams
Spring - Run Age 1.3 ( 5 sub 2 )
Baker Creek 300 250 250 150 292 420 47 282 268 420 423 N/I N/I 51 Dome Creek 575 530 550 571 625 400 309 198 49 450 444 270 224 248 East Twin Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 64 N.I. 18 35 51 52 62 12 25 Holliday Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N N.I. 15 74 126 48 54 17 72 Humbug Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N.I. 26 22 85 35 N/A N/I N/I Kazchek Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 0 present Present N/O N /O 6 8 N/I N/I Kenneth Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 132 17 65 58 338 148 N/A N/I N/I Kuzkwa N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 215 300 345 245 N/A Naver Creek 250 250 150 150 777 994 57 231 240 281 489 N/I N/I 236 Narcosli Creek 250 350 250 150 757 254 161 145 383 129 382 N/I N/I 89 Pinchi Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I present 45 14 Present 15 25 N/A Ptarmigan Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 58 103 49 8 66 140 N/A N/I N/I
1375 1380 1200 1021 2451 2322 694 1074 1366 2246 2104 664 29 721
Information Document to Assist Development Page 29 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Spring - Run Age 1.3 ( 5 sub 2 ) Cont….
C.T.C. Non Indicator Stream 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Small Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 115 66 34 48 268 212 6 15 77 Snoeshoe Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N N N/I N/I 165 66 N/I N/I N/I Fraser River (Tete Juane) 3300 4240 6000 4100 2935 2586 2081 2262 4976 3913 3048 2062 2535 2142 Upper Cariboo River N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 407 198 367 N/I N/I 477 West Twin Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 24 N.I. 34 14 22 108 40 58 75
3300 4240 6000 4100 2935 2725 2147 2330 5445 4566 3801 2108 2608 2694
Stock Aggregate Totals 4675 5620 7200 5121 5386 5047 2841 3404 6811 6812 5905 2772 2637 3415
Spring Run Age 1.2 ( 4 sub 2 ) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Bonaparte River 1500 4283 4157 4391 10084 1864 1954 5258 6150 8216 8470 7990 3516 3995 4000 7970
Stock Aggregate Totals 5500 12253 4157 4391 10084 1864 1954 5258 6150 8216 8470 7990 3516 3995
Summer Run Age 1.3 ( 5 sub 2 ) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Adams River ( Upper ) unk unk 128 220 275 100 107 60 109 46 150 238 N/I 165 Blue River 8 48 35 0 0 110 11 235 88 480 329 152 N/I 212 Chilcotin River ( Upper ) 200 450 262 735 360 617 285 229 243 523 678 220 97 158 Eagle River 1100 1200 700 780 915 N.I. 624 1085 1397 1458 1583 867 426 521 Elkin Creek 450 508 786 1250 806 651 417 394 458 420 1038 N/I N/I N/I Lemieux Creek N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I N/I 216 115 117 155 N/O 194 28 297 Lion Creek 12 150 65 95 N.I. N.I. 34 0 3 N/O N/I N/I N/I N/I
Stock Aggregate Totals 1770 2356 1976 3080 2356 1478 1694 2119 2415 3082 3778 1671 551 976
Page 30 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix D: CTC Indicator Stocks
In 1986, DFO established interim escapement goals for British Columbia Chinook stocks. The escapement goals were set at either double the averaged escapement for the 1979-82 base period or, for key streams, double the 1984 escapement estimate. These escapement goals are not biologically-based and consequently, they are not used for stock assessment and management of stock impacts under the Pacific Salmon Treaty. The Lower Fraser fall run has a biologically- based escapement goal range between 75,000 and 101,000 based on a stock-recruitment analysis (Brown et al. 2001). Biologically-based escapement goals based on habitat carrying capacity, are being developed and several examples for Fraser River stocks are available (Parken et al. 2006; described in Appendix L).
Fraser Spring Run 52 (CTC Indicator Stocks)
60000
50000 brood year 40000
30000 base period doubling goal 20000 Escapement
10000
0
996 001 002 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1 1997 1998 1999 2000 2 2 2003 2004 2005 2006
Spring 5 2 Year S
Information Document to Assist Development Page 31 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Fraser Spring Run 42 (CTC Indicator Stocks)
25000
20000 brood year
15000 base period doubling goal
10000 Escapement
5000
0
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Spring 4 2 Year
Fraser Summer Run 52 (CTC Indicator Stocks)
45000
40000 brood year 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 Escapement 5000 0
1 2 3 4 995 996 997 998 999 000 001 002 003 004 005 006 199 199 199 199 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Summer 5 2 Year
Page 32 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Fraser Summer Run 41 (CTC Indicator Stocks)
160000
140000
120000
100000
80000
60000 brood year Escapement 40000
20000
0
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Summer 4 1 Year
Harrison Fall Run 41 (CTC Indicator Stocks)
300000
250000
200000
150000
Escapement 100000 escapement goal range
50000
0
0 3 98 99 02 994 997 1991 1992 1993 1 1995 1996 1 19 19 200 2001 20 200 2004 2005
Harrison Falls Year
Information Document to Assist Development Page 33 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan
Appendix E: Fraser River First Nations Fishing Times and Catch by Area
2006 Fraser River First Nations Fishing Times:
Area and Gear Dates Hours per Week Mouth to Pt Mann Bridge-drift net Mar. 26 - Apr. 9 24 hours per week Apr. 16 - Apr. 23 36 hours per week Apr. 30 - June 25 48 hours per week Mouth to Pt Mann Bridge – drift net July 2 - July 23 48 hours per week* Pt Mann Bridge to Sawmill Creek-drift net Mar. 19 - Apr. 23 10 hours per week Apr. 30 - June 25 12 hours per week Emory Creek to Yale Creek-drift net July 2-16 30 hours per week* Kanaka Creek to Mission Bridge-drift net July 9 12 hours per week* Kanaka Creek to Emory Creek-drift net July 16-23 24 hours per week* Jone’s Hill to Jespersen’s-drift net July 17-23 36 hours per week* Pt Mann Bridge to Sawmill Creek- set net Mar. 19 - Apr. 23 24 hours per week Apr. 30 - June 25 48 hours per week Sawmill Creek to Texas Creek and April 5 - May 28 4 days per week the Thompson River – set net May 28 -July 2 7 days week July 2-July 27 7 days per week** July 27-Sept. 20 7 days per week Sept. 20 – Oct. 8 7 days per week** Texas Creek to Deadman Creek – set net April 5 – Jul 2 7 days per week July 2-July 27 7 days per week** July 27- Sept. 27 7 days per week Sept. 27 – Oct. 8 7 days per week** Deadman Creek upstream – set net April 5- June 13 Closed *** June 13 - July 5 7 days per week July 5- Aug 5 7 days per week** Aug 5- Dec 31 7 days per week
A table of catches for 2006 can be found in Appendix E. * Selective fisheries for chinook used 8” mesh drifted gill nets. ** Selective fisheries for chinook used dip nets or rod and reel. *** Little interest by FN’s to fish as few Chinook in this area until after June 20
Page 34 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan 2006 Annual Summary of First Nations Fisheries Chinook Catch by Area in the Fraser River Mainstem and Tributaries
Chinook AREA (directed fisheries) Total Chinook Mainstem Fraser Below Port Mann Bridge 1884* 2696 Port Mann Bridge to Mission 1154* 2059 Mission to Hope 2446* 6095 Hope to Sawmill Creek 3528* 7078 Sawmill Creek to Texas Creek 1415a 1746 Texas Creek to Kelly Creek 464a 593 Kelly Creek to Deadman Creek 0a 1 Deadman Creek to Marguerite Ferry 6b 13 Naver Creek to Shelly & Nechako R to Isle Pierre 290c 315 Mainstem Subtotals 11187 20597
Tributaries Harrison River 0* 71 Lillooet River System unknown unknown Thompson River downstream of Bonaparte River confluence 0d 240 Thompson River upstream of Bonaparte River confluence 5d 1292 Chilcotin River System n/md 20 Nechako River System upstream of Isle Pierre n/mc 0 Stuart River System n/mc 2 Tributary Subtotal 5 1625 Totals 11193 22222
* This number represents the catch to July 25, 2006 (i.e.: First Nations directed Chinook fishery). After that date, Chinook were taken as by-catch in sockeye and chum directed fisheries. a This number represents the catch to July 27th in First Nations directed Chinook fisheries. b This number represents the catch to August 1st in First Nations directed Chinook fisheries. c This number represents the catch to August 6th in First Nations directed Chinook fisheries. d This number represents the catch to July 2nd in First Nations directed Chinook fisheries. n/m – no monitoring conducted at that time.
Please note, the Fraser River is permanently closed from Williams Creek to Petch Creek. Kelly Creek to Barney Creek and The Lillooet River System was not monitored. The Harrison River upstream of the Highway 7 Bridge was also closed.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 35 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix F: 2006 Recreational Catch Data
Figure 1: 2000 to 2006 South Coast Marine Creel Survey Chinook Catch Estimates by Month
Figure 2: 2006 Recreational Chinook Catch by Area
2006 Chinook Catch by Stat Area 30000
25000
20000
JST 15000 GS JDF
# chinookkept 10000 WC
5000
0 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19(Sannich) 19 20(GS) 20(WC) 21 121 23(Inlet) 23(Barkley) 123 24 124 25 125 26 126 27 127 28 29
Stat Area
Page 36 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan
Figure 3: 2002 – 2006 Recreational Chinook Catch by Month for Strait of Georgia and Johnstone Strait (Areas 12 to 19, 28 and 29 and a portion of Area 20)*
Strait of Georgia/Johnstone Strait Chinook Sport catch for 2002 - 2006
30000
25000 2002 20000 2003 15000 2004 2005
Nos of Fish 10000 2006 5000
0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Month
*east of Sherringham Point
Figure 4: 2002 - 2006 Recreational Chinook Catch by Month for Juan de Fuca (that portion of Area 20 west of Sherringham Point)
Juan de Fuca Chinook Sport catch for 2002 - 2006
10000
8000 2002 2003 6000 2004 4000 2005 Nos of Fish Nos 2000 2006 0 June July Aug Sept Month
Information Document to Assist Development Page 37 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Figure 5: 2002 - 2006 Recreational Chinook Catch by Month for West Coast of Vancouver Island (23 to 27, 121 and 123 to 127)
WCVI Chinook Sport catch for 2002 - 2006
60000
50000 2002 40000 2003 30000 2004
20000 2005 Nos of Fish of Nos 2006 10000
0 June July Aug Sept Month
Figure 6: 2002 – 2006 Recreational Chinook Catch by Month for the Fraser River from the Confluence with the Sumas River upstream to Hope, BC.
Fraser River - Recreational Chinook Catch by Month 2002 to 2006
9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 Catch 3,000 2,000 2002 1,000 2003 0 2004 May June July August September 2005 Month 2006
Page 38 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Preliminary 2006 Chinook Recreational Openings and Catch - Lower Fraser River Area Table 1 below describes where and when recreational anglers were allowed to retain Chinook on the Fraser River in 2006. Fishing was permitted during daylight hours only (from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise). The daily limit was four Chinook per day of which only one could be an adult. In the Lower Fraser River, an adult Chinook is defined as a Chinook over 50 cm in length except during the fall when the larger Harrison origin fish predominate. From September 1 to December 31 in those waters downstream of the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge, an adult Chinook is defined as being over 62 cm. The Fraser River mainstem creel survey took place from May1st to October 9th, 2005 and covered the area from Sumas to Hope.
Table 1: 2006 Fraser River Chinook Recreational Openings. Dates Area Daily Limit May 01-Aug 31 Tidal waters of the Fraser River, and non-tidal 4 per day, only one of which waters of the Fraser River downstream from the may be greater than 50 cm. confluence with Sawmill Creek. Sep 01-Dec 31 Tidal waters of the Fraser River and non-tidal 4 per day, only one of which waters of the Fraser River downstream from a may be greater than 62 cm. line drawn between two triangular white boundary signs on either side of the Fraser River approximately 3 km upstream of the confluence with the Harrison River (Jesperson’s Bar) May 01-Aug 31 From Jesperson’s Bar line (described above) to 4 per day, only of which may be Highway No. 1 Bridge at Hope BC greater than 50 cm. Sep 01-Sep 06 From Jesperson’s Bar line (described above) to 4 per day, only of which may be Highway No. 1 Bridge at Hope BC greater than 62 cm. Oct 10-Dec 31 From Jesperson’s Bar line (described above) to 4 per day, only of which may be Highway No. 1 Bridge at Hope BC greater than 62 cm. Sep 01-Sep 06 From Agassiz Rosedale Bridge to Highway No. 1 4 per day, only of which may be Bridge at Hope, BC greater than 50 cm. Oct 10-Dec 31 From Agassiz Rosedale Bridge to Highway No. 1 4 per day, only of which may be Bridge at Hope, BC greater than 50 cm. May 01-Sep 08 From the Highway No. 1 Bridge at Hope, BC 4 per day, only of which may be upstream to the confluence with Sawmill Creek greater than 50 cm. Oct 13 to Dec 31 From the Highway No. 1 Bridge at Hope, BC 4 per day, only of which may be upstream to the confluence with Sawmill Creek greater than 50 cm.
Recreational catch data from the Fraser River Creel is provided in Table 2.
Recreational catch data from the Chilliwack River Creek is provided in Table 3.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 39 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Table 2. Fraser River recreational fishery assessment evaluation from May 1st to October 9th, 2006. Total harvest and release (weekend and weekday data combined). Sockeye estimates do not include August 1st and 2nd; sockeye opened on August 3rd.
May June July August September September October Total 1-31 1-30 1-31 1-31 1-6 7-30 1-9 2006 chinook chinook chinook sockeye sockeye chinook chinook Number of Interviews 158 556 2,741 4,702 804 917 357 10,235 Interview Hours 654 2,763 12,960 22,036 3,873 5,585 2,007 49,878 Number of Overflights 8 8 9 8 3 6 4 46
ANGLER EFFORT Estimated Effort (hours) 4,046 31,792 143,265 460,566 72,417 18,950 16,022 747,058
ESTIMATED HARVEST Chinook Adult 44 1,121 4,491 7,701 828 230 21 14,436 Chinook Jack 0 0 20 486 182 19 0 707 Coho Adult 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Coho Jack 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sockeye 0 0 0 117,468 16,824 0 0 134,292 Pink 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chum 0 0 0 0 0 93 807 900
ESTIMATED RELEASE Chinook Adult 0 31 71 147 27 74 49 399 Chinook Jack 0 0 0 148 0 3 0 151 Coho Adult 0 0 0 18 0 46 26 90 Coho Jack 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 Sockeye 0 30 5,374 13,117 2,850 2,241 31 23,643 Pink 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chum 0 0 0 0 0 143 6943 7,086
Page 40 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan In 2006, recreational anglers were permitted to retain Chinook on the Chilliwack River from Slesse Creek downstream to boundary signs near the confluence with the Fraser River from July 1 to December 31. Fishing was permitted during daylight hours only (from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise). The daily limit was four Chinook per day of which only one could exceed 62 cm in length. A creel program was run from September 15th to November 15th, 2006 on the Chilliwack River. Results from this creel are presented in the tables below.
Table 3: Chilliwack River recreational fishery assessment final results from September 15 to November 15, 2006. Total catch and release (weekend and weekday combined).
September October November 15-30 1-31 1-15 Total Number of Interviews 971 3,293 601 4,865 Interview Hours 3,096 11,199 1,904 16,199 Number of Overflights 4 9 3 16 Average Overflight Count 188 559 151 299
ANGLER EFFORT Estimated Effort (hours) 31,658 158,900 15,248 205,806
ESTIMATED HARVEST Chinook Adult 862 7,051 320 8,233 Chinook Jack 267 577 27 871 Coho Adult 217 1,351 721 2,289 Coho Jack 16 88 15 119 Sockeye 0 0 0 0 Pink 0 0 0 0 Chum 226 4,836 313 5,375
ESTIMATED RELEASE Chinook Adult 1,448 25,181 1,840 28,469 Chinook Jack 284 624 0 908 Coho Adult 164 3,082 1,988 5,234 Coho Jack 154 114 4 272 Sockeye 37 52 6 95 Pink 0 0 0 0 Chum 561 37,542 5,463 43,566
Information Document to Assist Development Page 41 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan
Preliminary 2006 Chinook Recreational Catches – Upper Fraser River (1)
System Time/Duration Hours Total Annual Fished Catch Bowron River July 15 – Aug 15: N/A No creel survey 7days/week Chilko River July 25 - Aug 16: N/A No creel survey 7days/week Fraser River at Prince George Jul 10 – Aug 25: N/A No creel survey 7days/week
Fraser River (confluence of July 1 - Sept. 7: N/A No creel survey Seton / Fraser River downstream 7days/week to Seton powerhouse)
Cariboo River Jul 27 – Aug 18: N/A No creel survey 7days/week
Quesnel River Jul 15 - Sept 1: N/A No creel survey 7days/week
Bridge River June 21 – Jul 14: 675 63 5 days/week (0600 - 2100 hrs)
Mabel Lake noon July 25 to noon Sept 12: 4725 301 7days/week
North Thompson River Aug 1 – Aug 31: N/A No Creel (Clearwater River) 7 days/week Shuswap River (lower) noon July 25 - noon Sept 12: 14689 616 7days/week (0500 to 2200 hrs. daily) Shuswap River (middle) noon July 25 - noon Aug 15: N/A No Creel 7days/week South Thompson River Aug 5 - Sept 22: N/A No Creel 7days/week Thompson River (near Spences' Jul 22 - Aug 14: 2175 329 Bridge) Sat/Sun/Mon only 0600 - 2100 hrs. Thompson River (near Martel) Aug 22 - Sept 3: N/A No Creel 7 days/week
(1) Note: Due to budget constraints in 2006 creel surveys were not undertaken in some recreational fisheries. Creel surveys were not undertaken in recreational fisheries where past years information suggested that catch and effort, and associated harvest rates, were very low.
Page 42 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix G: Draft 2007 Chinook Recreational Fishing Plans Table 1: Freshwater Salmon Sport Fishing Regulations: Region 2: Lower Mainland
1. Unless otherwise stated in the table, the daily limit in all waters of Region 2 is zero (0). 2. The aggregate daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon (other than kokanee) from tidal and non-tidal waters combined is four (4). 3. All retained coho must measure 25 cm or more from tip of nose to tail fork, and all retained Chinook, chum, pink, and sockeye must measure 30 cm or more from tip of nose to tail fork. 4. A single barbless hook is in effect year round for all streams in Region 2. 5. There is an annual limit of 10 adult Chinook from all non-tidal waters. All retained adult Chinook must be recorded immediately on the back of your Provincial Non-tidal Angling licence. An "adult Chinook" in Region 2 is defined as being over 50 cm except in the following areas where an “adult Chinook” is defined as being over 62 cm: a) the Fraser River between the CPR bridge at Mission to the powerline crossing approximately 1 km above the Aggasiz/Rosedale bridge from Sep 01 - Dec 31, b) the Chilliwack/Vedder River (including the Sumas River) the Capilano River and the Harrison River.
WATERS SPECIFIC AREA SPECIES DATES LIMITS / GEAR Chehalis River From the logging bridge 2.4 km All Sep 01-Dec 31 Daylight hours only. below Chehalis Lake to the Chinook Jan 01-May 31 No fishing for Chinook. confluence of the Harrison/Chehalis Jun 01-Aug 10 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. Rivers, including tributaries to that Aug 11-Sep 15 No fishing for Chinook. part Sep 16-Dec 31 4 per day, only 1 over 62 cm. Chilliwack/Vedder Downstream from Slesse Creek All Sep 01-Dec 31 Daylight hours only. River (including including that portion of the Sumas Sumas River) River from the Barrow Town Pump Chinook Jul 01-Dec 31 4 per day, only 1 over 62 cm. Station downstream to boundary signs near the confluence with the Fraser River Dewdney Slough - See Nicomen Slough Fraser River Salmon closures are being considered from early September to mid-October to protect co-migrating Upper Fraser and Thompson River coho. Please contact your local DFO office for details. From the downstream side of the All Jul 01-Dec 31 Daylight hours only. CPR Bridge at Mission upstream to the Alexandria bridge, except Landstrom Bar (described below) which is closed to all Chinook May 1-Dec 31 4 per day, only 1 over 50 cm. angling from May 1 to Oct. 31. Landstrom Bar is those waters of the Fraser River inside a line beginning at a fishing boundary sign on the eastern end of Landstrom Bar, then to a fishing boundary sign on the opposite bank, then to a fishing boundary sign at the southern end of Croft Island, then westerly to a fishing boundary sign on the nearest bank of the river, then following the river bank to the beginning point. Harrison River From the Highway 7 bridge to All Jul 01-Dec 31 Daylight hours only. the confluence with the Fraser Chinook Sep 01-Dec 31 4 per day, 1 over 50 cm River Pitt River Upper and Lower, including Chinook Jan 01-Dec 31 No fishing for Chinook. tributaries Stave River Downstream of B.C. Hydro Dam Chinook Jan 01-Dec 31 1 per day. to the CPR Railway Bridge Sumas River - See Chilliwack River Vedder River - See Chilliwack River
Information Document to Assist Development Page 43 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Table 2: Freshwater Salmon Sport Fishing Opportunities: Region 3: Thompson-Nicola
1. Unless otherwise stated in the table, the daily limit in all waters of Region 3 is zero (0). 2. The aggregate daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon (other than kokanee) from tidal and non-tidal waters combined is four (4). 3. A single barbless hook is in effect year round for all streams in Region 3. 4. There is an annual limit of 10 adult Chinook from all non-tidal waters. All retained Chinook must be recorded immediately on the back of your Provincial Non-tidal Angling licence. An "adult Chinook" in Region 3 is defined as being over 50 cm.
WATERS SPECIFIC AREA SPECIES DATES LIMITS/GEAR Bridge River Downstream from Road Chinook Jun 21- Jul 16 Sun, 4 per day, only 1 40 bridge to the Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur over 50cm. confluence of the Fraser only 06:00 to 21:00 River (see also Fraser hours daily. River opportunity). Clearwater River From Clearwater Lake Chinook Aug 1-Aug 31 4 per day, only 2 downstream to the over 50cm. confluence of the North Monthly quota is 4 Thompson River (except over 50cm (includes CLOSED from Murtle adult Chinook River downstream to caught and retained 35km post from Aug 16 - from North 31 to protect Mahood R. Thompson River). Chinook). Fraser River Mainstem of the Fraser R. Chinook Apr 1-Sep 17 4 per day, none over in Region 3 except for that 50cm. portion of the Fraser R. described below From the confluence of Chinook Jul 1-Sep 10 4 per day, only 1 the Seton River and the over 50cm. Fraser River, downstream to the BC Hydro turbine generator tailrace located approximately 1 km downstream of the town of Lillooet. From the confluence with Chinook Jun 21-Jul 16 Sun, Mon, 4 per day, only 1 the Bridge River Tue, Wed, Thur only over 50cm. downstream to the BC 0:600 to 21:00 hours Railway bridge, 2 km daily. north of Lillooet (see also Bridge River opportunity). Little Shuswap Lake - See South Thompson River North Thompson Downstream of Station Chinook Aug 1-Aug 31 4 per day, only 2 River Road Bridge in over 50cm. Clearwater to the Ferry Monthly quota is 4 crossing at Little Fort. over 50cm (includes adult Chinook caught and retained from Clearwater River) Mainstem river. Chinook Sep 1-Sep 22 4 per day none over 50 cm .
Page 44 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan WATERS SPECIFIC AREA SPECIES DATES LIMITS/GEAR South Thompson From the green can buoy Chinook Aug 5-Sep 22 4 per day, only 2 River near outlet of Little River over 50 cm. to 100m downstream of Monthly quotas are Campbell Creek. 6 over 50cm. Thompson River From Kamloops Lake Chinook Jun 1-Sep 21 4 per day, none over downstream to the 50cm (retention of confluence with the Fraser jack Chinook only) River. See exceptions below From the upstream side of Chinook July 21 to August 13. 4 per day, only 1 the mouth of the Nicola Sat, Sun, Mon only, over 50cm. River downstream to the 06:00 to 21:00 hours Environmental Hwy 8 bridge at Spences only. conditions in Nicola Bridge. River may result in closure. Check with your local DFO office for updates. From confluence with Chinook To be determined in- Opening dependent Bonaparte River to season. on number of boundary sign Chinook returning approximately 1 km to Bonaparte fish downstream. North Bank way by July 25. of the river only. Check with your local DFO office for updates. From Hwy 8 bridge at Chinook Aug 22-Sep 03 4 per day, only 1 Spences Bridge upstream over 50 cm. Check to a fishing boundary sign with your local DFO located approximately 1 office for updates. km downstream of Martel (west side of river only). These waters open to fishing are subject to change.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 45 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Table 3: Freshwater Salmon Sport Fishing Opportunities: Region 5a: Cariboo (Part A, Fraser River Watershed, Management Units 5-1 to 5-5 and 5-12 to 5-16)
1. Unless otherwise stated in the table, the daily limit in all waters of Region 5 is zero (0). 2. The aggregate daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon (other than kokanee) from tidal and non-tidal waters combined is four (4). 3. All retained Chinook, must measure 30 cm or more from tip of nose to fork in tail (fork length). 4. A single barbless hook is in effect year round for all streams in Region 5. 5. There is an annual limit of 10 adult Chinook from all non-tidal waters. All retained Chinook must be recorded immediately on the back of your Provincial Non-tidal Angling licence. An "adult Chinook" in Region 5 is defined as being over 50 cm (fork length).
WATERS SPECIFIC AREA SPECIES DATES LIMITS / GEAR Cariboo River From confluence of the Chinook Jul 27-Aug 18 4 per day, only 2 over 50cm. Quesnel River to the confluence of Seller Creek. Chilko River From Chilko Lake downstream Chinook Jul 25-Aug 16 4 per day, only 2 over 50cm. to boundary signs 1.5km Monthly limit of 4 over 50 upstream of Siwash bridge (12 cm. km upstream from Chilcotin R. junction). Quesnel River downstream of Poquette Creek Chinook Jul 15-Sep 1 4 per day, only 2 over 50cm.
Table 4: Freshwater Salmon Sport Fishing Opportunities: Region 7: Omineca-Peace Shaded areas are new or changed opportunities.
1. Unless otherwise stated in the table, the daily limit in all waters of Region 7 is zero (0). 2. The aggregate daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon (other than kokanee) from tidal and non-tidal waters combined is four (4). 3. All retained Chinook, must measure 30 cm or more from tip of nose to fork in tail (fork length). 4. A single barbless hook is in effect year round for all streams in Region 7. 5. There is an annual limit of 10 adult Chinook from all non-tidal waters. All retained Chinook must be recorded immediately on the back of your Provincial Non-tidal Angling licence. An "adult Chinook" in Region 7 is defined as being over 50 cm (fork length).
WATERS SPECIFIC AREA SPECIES DATES LIMITS / GEAR Bowron River From Forestry Road bridge Chinook Jul 10-Aug 15 4 per day, only 2 over 50cm. nearest to the Fraser River, upstream to the Bowron Forest Road bridge crossing near Haggen Creek. Fraser River From power lines crossing the Chinook Jul 10-Jul 25 4 per day, only 1 over 50cm. Fraser River near College Hts, upstream to the Northwoods Bridge crossing the Fraser River Upstream of the Northwoods Chinook Jul 10-Aug 15 4 per day, only 1 over 50cm Bridge to the Gas Pipline This is a proposed opening, Crossing, near Shelley. consultation will occur prior to implementation. Check with your local DFO office.
Page 46 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Table 5: Freshwater Salmon Sport Fishing Opportunities: Region 8: Okanagan
1. Unless otherwise stated in the table, the daily limit in all waters of Region 8 is zero (0). 2. The aggregate daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon (other than kokanee) from tidal and non-tidal waters combined is four (4). 3. All retained Chinook, must measure 30 cm or more from tip of nose to fork in tail (fork length). 4. A single barbless hook is in effect year round for all streams in Region 8. 5. There is an annual limit of 10 adult Chinook from all non-tidal waters. All retained Chinook must be recorded immediately on the back of your Provincial Non-tidal Angling licence. An "adult Chinook" in Region 8 is defined as being over 50 cm (fork length).
WATERS SPECIFIC AREA SPECIES DATES LIMITS / GEAR Mabel Lake South of fishing Chinook 12:00 Jul 25- 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. boundary signs located 12:00 Sep 12 Monthly quota is 4 over on opposite shores 50cm, including all Shuswap approximately 1 km from River and Mabel Lake Wap Creek. Chinook. Shuswap River Between Shuswap Falls Chinook 12:00 Jul 25 - 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. and Mabel Lake. 12:00 Aug 15 Monthly quota is 4 over 50cm, including all Shuswap River and Mabel Lake Chinook. Upstream from signs Chinook 12:00 Jul 25 - 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. above Mara Bridge to 12:00 Sep 12 Monthly quota is 4 over Mabel Lake. 05:00-22:00 50cm, including all Shuswap hours only River and Mabel Lake Chinook.
Tidal Waters
• The coast-wide daily limit for chinook is two. • The total chinook annual limit is 30 from any tidal waters, of which at most, o 10 may be caught in the tidal waters of the Fraser River; o 15 may be caught in the waters of Areas 12 to 18, 28 and 29 and that portion of Area 19 north of Cadboro Point; and o 20 may be caught in the waters of Area 20 and that portion of Area 19 south of Cadboro Point. • Barbless hooks are required for all salmon fishing. • The aggregate daily limit (total daily limit) for all species of Pacific salmon from tidal or non-tidal waters combined is four. • The minimum size limit for Chinook in Areas 13 to 18, 28 and 29 and in that portion of Area 19 north of Cadboro Point is 62 cm. The minimum size limit in all other waters is 45 cm. • Substantial management measures are taken on Chinook fisheries on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and in the Strait of Georgia. Maps showing details of these measures can be found online at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
Information Document to Assist Development Page 47 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix H: 2006 Commercial Catches and Summary of 2004 Area H Sampling Program
Figure 1: Preliminary Estimates of 2006 Canadian Commercial Catch of Chinook Salmon by Gear Type and Salmon Licencing Area.
Areas Troll Purse Seine Gillnet TOTAL Area A 00 Area B 2,142 2,142 Area C 14,963 14,963 Area D 17,971 17,971 Area E 3,500 3500 Area F 158,338 158,338 Area G 105,358 105,358 Area H 0 0 TOTAL 263,696 2,142 36,434 302,272
Note: Area F Troll total includes 1,237 chinook taken in stock assessment fisheries.
Figure 2: 2006 Area F Troll Chinook Daily Catch and Effort.
2006 North Coast Troll Catch & Effort 7000 100
Catch ITQ Jun 7 - Sep 30, 90 6000 153,214 chinook Vessels 6105 WCVI 80 Derby Jun 7-22, Jun 29-Jul 4 5000 3887 chinook 255 WCVI 70
60 4000 50 < Oct - Dec 2005, Catch 3000 25 chinook Vessels 40
2000 Test 1237 30 chinook 105 WCVI 20 1000 10
0 0 1-Jul 2-Apr 1-Jun 1-Feb 3-Mar 9-Sep 11-Jul 21-Jul 31-Jul 2-May 12-Apr 22-Apr 11-Jun 21-Jun 11-Feb 21-Feb 13-Mar 23-Mar 10-Aug 20-Aug 30-Aug 19-Sep 29-Sep 12-May 22-May
Page 48 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Figure 3: 2006 Area F Troll Chinook Catch by Stock Group and Area.
Stock Group* Area 1 STD Area 2W STD Total STD catch catch Catch Alaska 27 (57.6) 0 (0.4) 27(57.6) Alsek 25 (51.3) 1 (1.1) 26(51.3) Taku River 135 (166.9) 3 (3.1) 138 (167.0) Stikine River 648 (376.9) 2 (2.5) 650 (376.9) Yakoun River 1,020 (388.1) 0 (0.2) 1,020 (388.1) Nass River 1,325 (466.4) 5 (2.5) 1,330 (466.4) Skeena River and tributaries 4,539 (1034.5) 11 (4.2) 4,551 (1034.5) Northern Mainland BC 5,152 (946.6) 10 (3.8) 5,162 (946.6) West Coast Vancouver Island 6,393 (922.1) 72 (8.4) 6,465 (922.1) East Coast Vancouver Island 2,369 (668.3) 18 (5.0) 2,388 (668.3) Southern Mainland BC 115 (152.0) 1 (2.0) 117 (152.0) Upper Fraser River 1,045 (418.1) 7 (2.9) 1,052 (418.1) Middle Fraser River 3,532 (898.3) 10 (3.8) 3,541 (898.4) North Thompson River 2,846 (736.8) 4 (2.5) 2,850 (736.8) South Thompson River 62,707 (2294.9) 140 (11.1) 62,847 (2295.0) Lower Thompson River 204 (147.2) 0 (0.5) 205 (147.2) Lower Fraser River Spring 365 (253.1) 1 (1.0) 366 (253.1) Lower Fraser River Summer 133 (131.4) 0 (0.3) 133 (131.4) Lower Fraser River Fall 65 (120.4) 1 (1.5) 66 (120.4) Puget Sound 923 (409.2) 3 (2.7) 927 (409.3) Juan de Fuca Strait 8 (31.0) 2 (2.2) 11 (31.0) Coastal Wash 7,790 (1169.2) 49 (7.6) 7,839 (1169.2) Upper Columbia spring timed 103 (186.3) 0 (0.4) 103 (186.3) Upper Columbia summer & 22,637 (1736.6) 243 (14.5) 22,880 (1736.7) fall timed Snake River spring & 250 (275.4) 9 (4.3) 260 (275.4) summer timed Snake River fall timed 2,159 (943.9) 26 (8.5) 2,185 (943.9) Middle Columbia Spring 28 (62.6) 1 (0.9) 29 (62.6) timed Upper Willamette 3,685 (774.4) 16 (5.0) 3,701 (774.4) Lower Columbia 1,990 (617.3) 14 (4.9) 2,004 (617.4) North and Central Oregon 23,716 (1697.7) 109 (11.4) 23,825 (1697.7) Southern Oregon Coastal 1,446 (549.3) 8 (4.5) 1,454 (549.3) Klamath & Trinity Rivers 25 (51.8) 1 (1.0) 25 (51.8) Central Valley spring timed 29 (61.3) 0 (0.4) 29 (61.3) Central Valley fall timed 130 (143.1) 0 (0.7) 131 (143.1) *Standard deviations (STD) appear in brackets.
Note: The catch assigned to stock groups represents 158,338 of the total 158,363 Chinook salmon caught from October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006. 25 Chinook salmon caught in October 2005 were not sampled.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 49 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Figure 4: WCVI Chinook Troll Fishery Preliminary Catch and Releases Estimates – Generated from the Department Fishery Operations System (FOS) October 2005 to September 2006
Chinook Chinook Coho Marked Coho Date Areas Retained Released Released Retained Oct 03 to 11 123 to 127 12,198 1,032 1,272 0 Nov 07 to 08 123 to 127 2,156 541 27 0 Dec 05 to 08 23 to 27, 123 to 127 1,689 172 1 0 Jan 09 to 21 23 to 27, 123 to 127 1,468 131 32 0 Feb 08 to 11 & Feb 15 to 23 23 to 27, 123 to 127 5,154 523 13 0 March 10 to 13 & March 16 to 31 125 to 127, 23 to 27 7,883 294 0 0 April 1 to 15 125 to 127, 25 to 26 April 16 to 19 124 to 127, 25 to 26 April 20 to 30 123 to 127, 23 to 27 20,561 627 3 0 May 1 to 5 123 to 127, 23 to 27 7,078 343 170 0 June 15 to 18 123 to 127 June 19 to 22 125 to 127 20,807 1,300 4,297 0 Aug 25 to 31* 123 to 127 886 10 142 0 Sept 3 125 to 127 2,590 193 1,113 459 Sept 7 to 13 125 to 127 9,996 974 2,504 1,382 Sept 14 to 16 123 to 127 8,765 1,026 744 403 Sept 17 to 30 125 to 127 2,747 179 201 131
TOTAL DIRECTED CHINOOK FISHERIES 103,978 7,345 10,519 2,375
Aug 3 to 4** 111, 11, 12, 123 to 127 0 147 70 0 Aug 7 to 11*** 111, 11, 12, 123 to 127 36 3,130 1,135 0
TOTAL DIRECTED SOCKEYE FISHERIES 36 3,277 1,205 0
GRAND TOTALS 104,014 10,622 11,724 2,375
Notes: * Experimental selective plug fishery **Fraser sockeye test fishery - preliminary catch estimate of 3,570 sockeye ***Directed Fraser sockeye full fleet commercial fishery - preliminary catch estimate of 169,600 sockeye
Page 50 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix I: Salmon Endowment Fund
As part of the 1999 Pacific Salmon Treaty, the US and Canada established an endowment fund, the interest from which would be used for the benefit of Pacific salmon. More information on approved projects and application process can be found at: http://www.psc.org/news_restoration.htm
Chinook related projects approved in 2006:
• Campbell River Mainstem Chinook Enhancement • Genetic Introgression Study of Gold River Chinook and Robertson Creek Hatchery Chinook • South Fork Nooksack Early Chinook Stock Supplementation • Determination of Genetic Variation within Deschutes River Fall Chinook Salmon • Investigation of Lower Thompson Juvenile Chinook Carrying Capacity • Mahogany Creek Culvert Replacement Project • Low Flow Restoration and Fish Screening Improvements on Tributaries to the Lower Shuswap River • Nicola Basin Stream Flow Recovery and Development of In-stream Flow Requirements • Maria Slough Chinook Habitat Project • Coldwater River Habitat Restoration • Cowichan Coldwater Pump Facility • Habitat-based Chinook Escapement Goal Calibration: Small West Coast Vancouver Island Rivers, BC • Extension of the Chinook Salmon Microsatellite Baseline • Thermal Marking of Cowichan Fall Chinook • Genetic Baseline Additions of Washington Chinook Salmon Populations to Enhance Mixed Stock Fishery Analyses in the Southern Boundary Area. • Nanaimo River Chinook Indicator Stream Surrogate • Development of Allele Ladders for 13 Microsatellite Loci Approved by the PSC for Genetic Stock Identification of Chinook Salmon • Burman River Chinook Escapement Goal Calibration • Habitat-based Chinook Escapement Goal Callibration: Large, Clear Rivers and Small, Low Visibility Rivers in the Interior Fraser River Watershed, BC • DNA Based Stock Composition of Catch and Released Chinook Salmon in the WCVI Troll Fishery • Analysis of Chinook Thermal Marking • Genetic Stock Identification of Chinook Mixtures at Bonneville Dam • Lower Granite Falls Chinook Run Reconstruction Assistance
Information Document to Assist Development Page 51 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix J: Additional Technical Information
1. Harrison Chinook:
The run size of Harrison fall returning Chinook is calculated using the results of the Harrison River escapement program. An exploitation rate is calculated using the run size estimate. However, the tag rate from Chinook produced at the Chehalis River hatchery is very low compared to the total Harrison return. This makes finding enough tags to develop an exploitation rate during the Harrison escapement program difficult. To get a better estimate, the Chilliwack River exploitation rate has been used in place of Harrison run size calculations. Unfortunately, several problematic issues with the Chilliwack escapement program have contributed to high uncertainty with the estimated exploitation rates. Discussions are underway to decide whether to improve the Harrison program (Chehalis hatchery fish survival), or to improve the Chilliwack escapement and creel programs.
The Chehalis hatchery enhances Harrison River fall returning Chinook through the collection of broodstock from the Harrison River and a small number of "swim-ins" to the hatchery. Production from both facilities is monitored through application and recovery of coded-wire tags (CWT’s). The contribution from the Chehalis hatchery to the in-river escapement in the Harrison River is less well known than the Chilliwack hatchery's contribution to the in-river escapement of fall-run fish returning to the Chilliwack River system. This is due in part to the relatively small Chehalis hatchery contribution within the large natural spawning Harrison population, making the recovery of CWT's during annual assessment programs difficult, and the absence of CWT recovery sampling and escapement estimation for the Chehalis River. The estimate of fall- run Chinook hatchery contribution to the escapement in the Chilliwack River is better known due to a smaller natural spawning population and a greater proportion of CWT’s present.
2. Stock Assessment:
Stock assessment of Chinook salmon coast wide relies upon estimating the exploitation rate on “indicator stocks” and annual monitoring of escapements to a sample of these naturally spawning Chinook populations. Exploitation rate is the portion of the production from one spawning year that is killed by fishing; this includes catch and incidental mortality. It is determined by dividing the total fishing mortality (i.e., the sum of all kept catches plus incidental mortality over all ages and is adjusted for natural mortality rates of juvenile fish) by the total pre-fishery cohort estimate (i.e., the total fishing mortality plus total spawning escapement).
Currently, exploitation rate can only be estimated through the CWT program because accurate age- and stock-specific catches are required, but other methods and technologies have not been able to provide similar accuracy at similar costs. CWT data from the fall returning, white-flesh stock to the Chilliwack River are used as a surrogate to estimate exploitation of the Harrison River natural stock. Harrison stock from the Chehalis hatchery has been used to determine Harrison exploitation but this technique has been limited by the CWT data due to a small CWT sample size in the Harrison River spawning escapement, a lack of assessment information on the number of CWT Chinook returning to the Chehalis River, and lower survival of fish released from Chehalis hatchery than Chilliwack hatchery. This results in a sub-optimal estimation of
Page 52 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Harrison stock contribution to fisheries. However, the annual mark-recapture program in the Harrison River does provide a quantitative estimate of this population’s spawning escapement (natural production plus the Chehalis hatchery enhancement) by age and sex. Total production from one spawning year in the Harrison natural population is estimated by:
• estimating the exploitation rate by age from the CWT program; • estimating the spawning escapement by age based on the mark-recapture program; • estimating the return of Chehalis Chinook and subtracting them from the total escapement by age; • expanding the terminal run (terminal catch plus spawners) by the ocean exploitation rate by age; • summing over ages (ages 3 to 5).
Accurate CWT and escapement data are essential to the detection of changes in survival due to the effects of fishing. Appendix B contains lower Fraser River Chinook enumeration data.
Exploitation rate indicator stocks were identified for the upper Fraser, but due to an inability to recover coded-wire tags in the in-river terminal fisheries and to quantify recoveries in the spawning escapements, much of the tagging was discontinued in the late 1980’s. Tagging of hatchery production has been continued, largely for Dome, Nicola, and Lower Shuswap exploitation rate indicator stocks. Spawning escapements are estimated quantitatively with representative sampling of CWTs these rivers. As CWT recoveries from some in-river fisheries have not been directly sampled, CWT recoveries will be estimated using alternate methods with information from other nearby in-river fisheries. The best available approach will be used in order to estimate fishing impacts across all fisheries, including those in the Fraser River. The spawning escapement data used in annual assessments are from a subset of streams selected for annual consistency in enumeration methods (referred to as the CTC indicator stocks).
In order to properly account for the full impact of fishing on chinook stocks, the PST specifies that all parties develop programs to monitor all sources of fishing related mortality on chinook. Catch monitoring programs are being modified to include estimates of encounters of all legal and sub-legal chinook, as well as other salmon species, in all fisheries.
3. Forecasting:
Currently, abundance forecasts are developed for only the Fraser fall-run aggregate, excluding those produced by the PST CTC Chinook model. The Fraser fall-run forecast is actually the total of two separate forecasts: one for the natural Harrison River spawning population and one for the river spawning and hatchery broodstock components of Chilliwack River. Each forecast is based on sibling regressions of either the age-specific estimated terminal run to each river versus estimated total ocean production or estimated total production versus total production based on data collected since the 1984 return year. Sibling regressions use past observations of the number of spawners at one age to predict the subsequent return at a later age. These relationships explain high amounts of variance (r2 > 0.80) and provide useful forecasts of ocean abundance, terminal runs and spawning escapements. For the relationship between spawners to
Information Document to Assist Development Page 53 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan be accurate, it is assumed that the ocean exploitation rates are similar to the average over recent years.
To develop forecasts (other than just recent average values, etc.), annual sampling for age structure in the catch and escapement, and a quantitative estimate of spawning escapements is needed. As noted above, upper Fraser escapements are visual estimates of trends, whose bias is largely unassessed except for a few locations. Further, it would be desirable to have in-river catch by stock and age. The real deficiency in our inability to develop forecasts for upper Fraser Chinook is the fact we cannot reconstruct cohort abundance because some in-river fisheries have not been directly sampled for CWTs. As mentioned above, several alternate approaches are under consideration and the best available ones will be used to address this deficiency in order to estimate fishery impacts and reconstruct cohort abundances. Currently, Nicola River, Dome Creek, and Lower Shuswap River have CWTs and reliable escapement estimation programs; however, the utility of these programs to produce forecasts is limited by the lack of a reliable estimate of CWT removals from in-river fisheries.
To accurately estimate the number of CWT’s removed during in-river fisheries, required information includes: • accurate catch estimates in all the time/area strata; catch must be estimated for all fisheries in order to produce accurate estimates of cohort size and fishing impacts; • reliable and representative sampling of CWT’s from those strata (sampling rates of about 20%, preferably all CWT’s encountered by surveyors); indirect CWT recovery rate information can be used from suitable alternate fisheries when direct information is unavailable; and,
DFO assessment capabilities and resources are acknowledged as a serious limitation to catch estimation and sampling of all fisheries. An approach to address these data gaps may involve greater participation by stakeholders in catch estimation and sampling programs in addition to a greater role in decision making. To summarize, we currently do not have an empirical basis to forecast upper Fraser River Chinook returns.
4. Other Stock Assessment Information:
a.) Coded Wire Tag Information
Nearly all the exploitation rate information available on Fraser River Chinook is derived from CWT’s recovered from commercial, recreational and aboriginal fisheries. In addition, CWT analyses provide information on the stock distribution, abundance, survival and timing.
b.) DNA Analysis
Over successive generations, distinct fish populations have adapted to fit and prosper in particular niches in their ecosystems. These specialized characteristics are frequently expressed as unique patterns in their genetic code. The Molecular Genetics Lab at the Pacific Biological Station utilizes microsatellite DNA and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetic variation to examine differences in fish populations for ecological and conservation reasons as well as to assist in fisheries management.
Page 54 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan
To date, hundreds of distinct fish stocks (primarily Pacific salmon) have been examined, resulting in the most comprehensive set of microsatellite DNA baseline data for fisheries in the world. DNA baseline samples and fishery samples have been collected from selected Pacific fisheries for the past five years. DNA analysis of fishery samples and additional baseline sampling has been reduced since 2000 due to other funding priorities.
5. Setting Escapement Objectives:
DFO is looking at new methodologies for setting escapement goals including a stock-recruitment based assessment and a habitat based escapement assessment. The information needs for the stock recruitment method include; number of spawners, fishing mortalities by stock and age, definitions of spawning stocks, and assumptions must be made about natural mortality rates and patterns, time sequence of environmental patterns, and consistency of data series.
The information needs for a habitat based assessment are more readily available in large spatial databases such as the Provincial Watershed Atlas and Terrain Resource Information Maps. Two biologically-based methods appear useful to establish escapement goals and both focus on estimating carrying capacity. Escapement goals will be based on each aggregate’s management objectives. One method estimates spawner capacity from spawner density-habitat relationships developed from Fraser River populations (Parken et al. 20021). Presently, the method is being ground-truthed with fish production and stock-recruitment data for the Nicola River. The second method relies on relationships between carrying capacity, estimated from stock-recruitment analyses, and habitat parameters such as watershed area (Parken et al. 20062). The habitat and stock-recruitment data are from 25 populations ranging from Northwestern Alaska to 2coastal Oregon. The model predicts the spawning abundance producing maximum sustained yield and the spawning abundance at the stable equilibrium, called capacity, in units of total spawners. Since most of the Fraser River stocks only have spawner abundance indices, which tend to underestimate the total number of spawners (Bailey et al. 20003; Parken et al. 20034), further calibration of the current visual escapement estimates is needed in order to use similar units for comparisons. Calibration work will be undertaken at the Lower and Mid Shuswap rivers, Coldwater River, and possibly Chilcotin River in 2007.
1 Parken, C.K. J.R. Irvine, R.E. Bailey, and I.V. Williams. 2002. Habitat-based methods to estimate spawner capacity of Chinook salmon in the Fraser River watershed. Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Research Document 2002/114, Ottawa. 2 Parken, C.K., R.E. McNicol, and J.R. Irvine. 2006. Habitat-based methods to estimate escapement goals for data limited Chinook salmon stocks in British Columbia, 2004. Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Research Document 2006/083, Ottawa. 3 Baiely, R.E., C. K. Parken, J. R. Irvine, B. Rosenberger, and M. K. Farwell. 2000. Evaluation of the utility of aerial overflight based estimates versus mark– recapture estimates of Chinook salmon escapement to the Nicola River, British Columbia. Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat, Research Document 2000/152, Ottawa. 4 Parken, C.K., R.E. Bailey, and J.R. Irvine. 2003. Incorporating uncertainty in area-under-the- curve and peak counts salmon escapement estimation. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23:78-90.
Information Document to Assist Development Page 55 of 56 of Fraser Chinook Management Plan Appendix K: DFO Contacts
Fisheries Area Chief Paul Cottrell (604) 666-6512 Management - Lower Fraser Area Resource Manager – Aboriginal Fisheries Debra Sneddon (604) 666-8426
Resource Manager – Aboriginal Fisheries Brian Matts (604) 666-2096
A/Resource Manager - Recreational Fisheries Linda Stevens (604) 666-6509
Resource Manager - Commercial Fisheries Barbara Mueller (604) 666-2370
Management Biologist (Chinook, coho, chum) Melanie Sullivan (604) 666-2417
Management Biologist (FN catch monitoring) Marla Maxwell (604) 666-6608
Fisheries A/Area Chief (to March 31, 2007) Elmer Fast (250) 851-4878 Management - Area Chief ( April 01, 2007 onward) Gordon McEachen (250) 851-4948 B.C. Interior Asst. Resource Manager - Fraser River watershed Merv Mochizuki (250) 851-4952 from Sawmill Creek to Deadman Creek
A/Resource Manager - Fraser River watershed Al Charbonneau (250) 992-2434 upstream of Deadman Creek
A/Resource Manager – B.C. Interior Area – Dean Allan (250) 851-4821 Thompson/Columbia/Okanagan
Senior Management Biologist Les Jantz (250) 851- 4948
A/Management Biologist Jamie Scroggie (250) 851- 4852
Stock Assessment A / Head – Fraser River Stock Assessment Timber Whitehouse (250) 851-4833 Division Biologist, Chinook/Coho Program Joe Tadey (604) 666-7273
Biologist, Chinook/Coho Program Mike Chamberlain (250) 851-4947
Program Head, Chinook/Coho Richard Bailey (250) 851-4814
Conservation & Area Chief - Lower Fraser River Area Herb Redekopp (604) 607-4156 Protection A/Area Chief – B.C. Interior Area Stu Cartwright (250) 851-4922
Page 56 of 56 Information Document to Assist Development of Fraser Chinook Management Plan